A Collection of Saints
A Collection of Saints
St Valentine tends to hog the limelight in the Spring period - here are some others…
Saint Bannock – 7 January
Saint Bannock was a 6th century monk who sailed from Wales to Devon in a stone coffin. He is buried at Braunton in Devon where there is a carving on a church pew illustrating his amazing expertise in curing animals.
Saint Agnes – 21 January
Did you know that if you eat a salted herring before you go to bed on the Eve of St Agnes (20 January), an apparition of your future love might appear during the night? St Agnes is the patron saint of chastity and young girls, and honour bestowed upon her because she chose martyrdom rather than marry a non-Christian Roman soldier. She was only 13 at the time.
Saint Vincent – 22 January
St Vincent was stretched on a rack and then tortured by fire before being left to die in AD304. For no apparent reason he is the patron saint of drunkards - which might be celebrated by many landlords if they only knew…
Saint Apollonia – 9 February
Toothache? Dodgy gums? This is your saint. St Apollonia was a Christian martyr from Alexandria who was tortured by having all her teeth pulled out before she was finally killed.
Saint David – 14 March
St David’s Day is the patron saint of Wales. This is the day when the Welsh wear leeks on their hats and lapels, although nobody knows the precise reason why. The day is celebrated with music, song and dance. This day, it is said, is also when fleas awake from their Winter slumber and invade houses.
Saint Patrick – 17 March
St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and his day is hugely celebrated by the Irish throughout the world. Patrick is best known for driving all the snakes out of Ireland and his now famous symbol, the shamrock, is said to represent the Holy Trinity.
Saint George – 23 April
St George is the patron saint of England, boy scouts and soldiers. He is also the patron saint of Greece, Portugal and Aragon, so is quite a popular chap. Known mainly for his dragon slaying feats which surfaced in the Middle Ages, he was in reality a Christian Centurion who was martyred in Palestine in the 3rd or 4th centuries. Where the tales of his bravado come from is not certain, but he certainly became a symbol of heroism by the time of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 where it is said his name was used as a war cry.
This page is part of our Beginners’ Guide: British Folk Customs From Plough Monday to Hocktide.
