Many a glass has been raised on March 17 in honor of St. Patrick, the 5th-century missionary and patron saint of Ireland, but what about the lesser-known saints?
SPYSCAPE rounds up some of the more unusual patron saints - including (most importantly for us!) the guiding saint of spies.
St. Joshua, patron saint of intelligence officers
According to the Old Testament, Joshua served as a spy for Moses and, on Moses’ death, Joshua assumed command of the tribes of Israel who conquered Canaan and distributed its lands to the 12 tribes. Because of his service, St. Joshua is known as the patron saint of intelligence officers and often depicted as a soldier.
Saint Bibiana, the Patron Saint of Hangovers
Bibiana (or Vivian) died a saint and martyr in the 4th-century, the patron saint of those suffering from hangovers, headaches and seizures. Although exact dates and verifiable information about Bibiana are difficult to verify, it is known that a church in Rome was dedicated to her in the 5th century. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, after her burial, herbs growing near her grave supposedly cured headaches - and hangovers. Apparently, her name also sounds like the Spanish word for hangovers.
Saint Jesus Malverde: Patron Saint of Drug Dealers
His name is Saint Jesús Malverde, a cult hero known as a Robin Hood figure who supposedly stole from the rich to give to the poor. The Angel of the Poor, Narco Saint Malverde is today considered the patron saint of Mexican drug cartels, drug trafficking, outlaws, thieves, smugglers, robbers, bandits, and people in poverty. “More often than not, whenever and wherever we conduct a drug bust, we find an image of Jesús Malverde,” said Ron Riddle, former US Drug Enforcement Agency Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Saint Cyprian of Antioch: Patron Saint of Occultists
In folk tradition, Saint Cyprian - aka San Cipriano or Saint Cyprian of Antioch - is the patron of magicians, sorcerers, occultists, witches, conjurers, root doctors, demonologers, necromancers, spiritualists, and those who cast magic spells for clients. Santi Cyprian was historically a magician with mastery over demons, so he is the go-to saint when dealing with spirits, which might mean removing curses or other occult and spiritual practices. He is honored on his feast day on September 16th.
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Many a glass has been raised on March 17 in honor of St. Patrick, the 5th-century missionary and patron saint of Ireland, but what about the lesser-known saints?
SPYSCAPE rounds up some of the more unusual patron saints - including (most importantly for us!) the guiding saint of spies.
St. Joshua, patron saint of intelligence officers
According to the Old Testament, Joshua served as a spy for Moses and, on Moses’ death, Joshua assumed command of the tribes of Israel who conquered Canaan and distributed its lands to the 12 tribes. Because of his service, St. Joshua is known as the patron saint of intelligence officers and often depicted as a soldier.
Saint Bibiana, the Patron Saint of Hangovers
Bibiana (or Vivian) died a saint and martyr in the 4th-century, the patron saint of those suffering from hangovers, headaches and seizures. Although exact dates and verifiable information about Bibiana are difficult to verify, it is known that a church in Rome was dedicated to her in the 5th century. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, after her burial, herbs growing near her grave supposedly cured headaches - and hangovers. Apparently, her name also sounds like the Spanish word for hangovers.
Saint Jesus Malverde: Patron Saint of Drug Dealers
His name is Saint Jesús Malverde, a cult hero known as a Robin Hood figure who supposedly stole from the rich to give to the poor. The Angel of the Poor, Narco Saint Malverde is today considered the patron saint of Mexican drug cartels, drug trafficking, outlaws, thieves, smugglers, robbers, bandits, and people in poverty. “More often than not, whenever and wherever we conduct a drug bust, we find an image of Jesús Malverde,” said Ron Riddle, former US Drug Enforcement Agency Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Saint Cyprian of Antioch: Patron Saint of Occultists
In folk tradition, Saint Cyprian - aka San Cipriano or Saint Cyprian of Antioch - is the patron of magicians, sorcerers, occultists, witches, conjurers, root doctors, demonologers, necromancers, spiritualists, and those who cast magic spells for clients. Santi Cyprian was historically a magician with mastery over demons, so he is the go-to saint when dealing with spirits, which might mean removing curses or other occult and spiritual practices. He is honored on his feast day on September 16th.
According to Western Christian tradition and beliefs dating back to the Middle Ages, St. Balthasar visited baby Jesus to offer a gift of myrrh. He is believed to have come from Egypt where the gypsies were notorious for their card tricks. As a result, St. Balthasar became the patron saint of card manufacturers, and by extension, card players, blackjack dealers, and anyone who has a run of bad luck playing cards.
St. Lidwina, patron saint of ice skaters
Lidwina, born in 1380 in Schiedam, Netherlands, suffered a terrible skating accident at the age of 15 which left her partially paralyzed. This allowed her more time to pray and offer her suffering to God, however. She experienced mystical visions and St. Lidwina, as she was later known, became a holy woman and healer.
St. Adrian, patron saint of arms dealers
Adrian (aka Hadrian) was a pagan officer at the imperial court of Nicomedia when he noted the courage of Christians who were being tortured. According to the legend, Adrian was so impressed he declared himself a Christian. He was imprisoned and later killed for his beliefs. His wife Natalia is said to have come to visit him, disguised as a boy, to ask for his prayers when he entered Heaven. Saint Adrian was the chief military saint of Northern Europe, second only to Saint George. He is usually represented armed, with an anvil in his hands or at his feet.
St. Valentine, Patron Saint of … lovers and greeting cards?
Is the February 14th celebration a product of romantic love? According to lore, in 268 AD, when the Roman Empire was ruled by Emperor Claudius II, an edit was passed forbidding the young to marry because unmarried soldiers were better fighters - they weren’t preoccupied with family matters. Despite the edict, St. Valentine secretly married young lovers in the Catholic Church. That said, some report that there may have actually been more than one Saint Valentine. Just to complicate matters further, other scholars can’t find evidence of St. Valentine at all, noting the day for lovers was associated with the Middle Ages and English poet Geoffrey Chaucer.
St. Bernardino of Siena, patron saint of advertising
The Franciscan Bernardino of Siena - sometimes just called Bernardino - was an Italian priest and missionary noted for his oratorical skills while preaching to Italians during the 15th century. His persuasiveness and cunning way with words have made him the patron saint of advertisers and advertising.
St. Julian the hospitaller, patron saint of murderers
According to Notre Dame University, Julian had a vision that he would kill his parents and - in a horrifying case of mistaken identity - his vision became reality. Julian asked God for forgiveness and resolved to give himself to the service of others until he had performed a fitting penance. He provided a hostel for travelers and space for the needy, which led to him becoming the patron saint of hospitality and entertainment workers, carnival workers, fiddlers, jugglers - and yes, even murderers.
St. Malo, Patron Saint of Pig Keepers
Apparently St. Malo was the Welsh, mid-sixth century founder of Saint-Malo, a commune in Brittany, France, and one of the seven founding saints of Brittany. As an immigrant, he helped in the missionary work of Aaron of Brittany and established churches in the area, now named Saint-Malo in his honor. Quite why he is the Patron Saint of Pig Keepers - and by some accounts the Patron Saint of Lost Items - remains a mystery. Perhaps the explanation would be… squealing.
Saint Barbara: patron saint of fireworks
‘St. Barbara’, who died c. 200 CE, is Venerated as one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints (Holy Helpers) and invoked during thunderstorms. She is often cited as the patron saint of fireworks, artillerymen, and miners. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, however: “Barbara’s authenticity is highly questionable and her legend is probably spurious.” She was dropped from the General Roman Calendar in 1969.
Teresa of Ávila, patron saint of chess players
St. Teresa was a prominent Spanish mystic who mentioned chess in one of her works, The Way of Perfection (1566), as part of her special guidance for sisters of the Carmelite Order. She implied that a person who wished to play chess must study and practice to become a champion, much like a person who wished to approach God through prayer. St. Teresa later became the patron saint of chess and - perhaps fittingly - headaches.
Brendan the Voyager, patron saint of skiers
Nicknamed ‘the Voyager’ - or sometimes the ‘Navigator’ - Brendan is one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He was ordained a priest and worked as a missionary in the mountain villages before he was appointed to succeed his mentor as archdeacon of the cathedral. Brendan's voyages have inspired all those who travel by sea, land, and, it seems, even by snowboards or skis.
St. Columbo, patron saint of detectives?
A group calling itself ‘Nerdonomy’ claims that St. Columbo is the patron saint of detectives but we’re not so sure about that. In fact, we’ve got one more question…
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