Patron saint

Patron saint

The patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members. Prayers by such people are considered more likely to be answered by their patron saint . Some consider it a special devotion to God by displaying humility in asking a saint for intercession rather than expecting to be answered themselves, calling to mind [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2042:8;&version=9; Job 42:8] , which implies God's favour to the virtuous.

Known saints

For example, Saint Christopher is generally thought of as the patron saint of travelers. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the Irish, as well as of the profession of engineering, and Saint James the Great is the patron of rheumatics and of Spain. Eastern Orthodoxy generally similarly associates saints with places, occupations and activities, but to a much lesser degree, and usually that association takes place locally. The "Three Hierarchs", for instance (Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom), are the traditional patron saints of education in the Orthodox world, St. Nicholas the patron saint of Russia, St. Demetrius the patron saint of the city of Thessaloníki, etc. Association with a particular area or profession can be found with tutelary deities from other religions as well. St. Lawrence is the Patron Saint of cooks, so bestowed because he himself was roasted alive by the Romans who prosecuted him.

The feast day associated with a saint is often marked by those who have the saint as patron; this is especially the case with a national patron, whose feast day may be a public holiday. In some cases the celestial patronage is not assigned to a canonized person, but to a liturgical feast and/or (often associated) aspect of God or the Virgin Mary which is held in similar reverence (though unlike a saint it cannot actually intercede with God), such as:

*Transfiguration of Our Lord
*Sacred Heart of Jesus

Certain patron saints have only a nominal relationship with the trade or group that they represent, as is the case with Saint George of England. Saint Fiacre is the patron saint of taxi drivers, supposedly because the first hansom cabs in Paris were hired outside the Hotel Saint-Fiacre and, indeed, were known as "fiacres".

Lists of patron saints

*Patron saints of occupations, activities and communication mediums
*Patron saints of ailments, illness and dangers
*Patron saints of places
*Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary

See also

*Slava
*List of saints
*Calendar of saints
*Saint symbology
*List of blesseds

External links

* [http://www.iconessa.com/patron-saint-artwork.html Patron Saint Artwork by Sher Chappell]
* [http://www.catholic.org/saints/patron.php Catholic Online: Patron Saints]
* [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/indexsnt.htm Catholic Forum: Patron Saints Index]
*CathEncy|wstitle=Patron Saints


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • patron saint — Patron Pa tron, n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father. See {Paternal}, and cf. {Patroon}, {Padrone}, {Pattern}.] 1. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender. Patron of my life and liberty. Shak. The patron of true holiness.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • patron saint — n a Christian ↑saint who people believe gives special protection to a particular place, activity, or person patron saint of ▪ St. Christopher, the patron saint of travellers …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • patron saint — noun count a SAINT (=a dead holy person) who is believed to protect a particular place, activity, or group of people: patron saint of: St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • patron saint — patron saints N COUNT: usu with poss The patron saint of a place, an activity, or a group of people is a saint who is believed to give them special help and protection. Chiswick church is dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors …   English dictionary

  • Patron saint — Saint associated with a trade or *guild; a particular saint to whom a person prays for protection through some specific association. Thus St Cecilia is patron saint of musicians, while St Jerome is patron saint of translators, and St Laurence of… …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Patron saint — Patron Pa tron, a. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. Dryden. [1913 Webster] {Patron saint} (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • patron saint — ► NOUN ▪ the protecting or guiding saint of a person or place …   English terms dictionary

  • patron saint — n. a saint looked upon as the special guardian of a person, place, institution, etc …   English World dictionary

  • patron saint — noun a saint who is considered to be a defender of some group or nation (Freq. 2) • Hypernyms: ↑defender, ↑guardian, ↑protector, ↑shielder, ↑saint • Instance Hyponyms: ↑Santa Claus, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • patron saint — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms patron saint : singular patron saint plural patron saints a saint who is believed to protect a particular place, activity, or group of people patron saint of: St Nicholas is the patron saint of children …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”