Patron saint
A
patron saint has special affinity for a trade or group in several forms of the church of
Christianity, but especially in the
Catholic Church.
Saint Florian is the patron saint of firefighters, and
Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travellers, for example.
Eastern Orthodoxy generally does not associate saints with occupations and activities, or does so to a much lesser degree.
Patron saints can also be associated with geographical areas (depending on where they were born or where they preached). For example,
Saint Joseph is the patron saint of
Belgium,
Saint Patrick is patron saint of
Ireland, and
Saint Anthony is the patron saint of
Lisbon. Oftentimes, certain patron saints may have only a nominal relationship with the trade or group that they represent, as is the case with
Saint George of
England.
Association with a particular area or profession can be found with
tutelary deities from other religions as well.
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Patron saints of occupations and activities*
Patron saints of ailments, illness and dangers*
Patron saints of places*
Patronage of the Blessed Virgin MaryIn some case 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:
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Transfiguration of Our Lord -
pork butchers and processors
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Sacred Heart of Jesus -
Ecuador*
Slava*
List of saints*
Calendar of saints*
Intercession of saints*
Catholic Online: Patron Saints*
Catholic Forum: Patron Saints Index
