Patron saint
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Halmstad
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/58.178.16.234|58.178.16.234]] ([[User talk:58.178.16.234|talk]]) to last version by Blanchardb
{{Cleanup|date=June 2008}}
[[Image:Quentin martyrdom.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Saint Quentin]] is the patron saint of [[locksmith|locksmiths]] and is also invoked against coughs and sneezes.]]
In those denominations of [[Christianity]] that believe in the [[intercession of saints]], the '''patron saint''' of a particular group of people is a [[saint]] who has special affinity for that group and its members. Prayers by such people are considered more likely to be answered by their patron saint<!-- Dangling Modifier: ''Prayers by Christians OR Prayers by Saints?''--~~~~notbogus'''' -->. 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 travellers. [[Saint Patrick]] is the patron saint of [[Ireland]] and the [[Irish people|Irish]], as well as of the profession of engineering, and [[Saint James the Great]] is the patron of [[rheumatism|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 canonised 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 [[Taxicab|taxi]] drivers, supposedly because the first [[hansom cab]]s in Paris were hired outside the Hotel Saint-Fiacre and, indeed, were known as ''fiacres''.
== Criticism ==
{{main|Intercession}}
{{main|Saints}}
Some [[Protestantism|Protestant]] Christian denominations regard the belief in patron saints as latent [[polytheism]] and [[heresy]]. The belief in a patron saint for certain things is a reminder of the pagan gods and goddesses, they say, and is in their view condemned by the Bible. A common misconception (even among Catholics) is that one prays to these saints instead of directly to [[Jesus]] or God, the Father. In fact, Catholics do not pray to a saint as if the saint himself can directly help them. One asks a saint to pray with or for you. The idea is that it is better to have multiple people praying for the same thing (i.e. the Catholic Mass). This misconception has resulted in many Protestant and other groups to believe that praying with saints is a serious act of [[blasphemy]].
These denominations refer, among others, to [[First Epistle to Timothy|1 Timothy]] 2:5 states that "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus". The defenders of the intercession of saints refer at the same time to [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] who asks for prayer repeated in his epistles, showing that individuals can mediate for one another. Also, in [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]], particularly chapter 8 verse 3 it can be seen that the prayers of saints are offered to God via an angel.
Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians and some Protestant denominations view saints as heroes of virtue and draw inspiration from their lives. Additionally, saints are sometimes considered as people who, while they have passed from this life, are already enjoying eternal life as promised by Jesus in the [[New Testament]]. As with all those who have entered heaven they are still members of the Church and thus are still capable of praying on petitioners' behalf.
== Lists of patron saints ==
[[Image:Saint Honore Cake Shop Outlet01.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A "Saint Honoré Cake Shop" in [[Hong Kong]]. [[Honorius of Amiens|Saint Honorius (Honoré)]] is the patron saint of bakers and confectioners.]]
*[[Patron saints of occupations and activities]]
*[[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]]
== 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}}
[[Category:Sainthood]]
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