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Patron saints

Patron Saints of the United Kingdom

Fotoram.io Sf Simon Final

Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot (1st century – 107 AD)

Upon the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus to Heaven, the Holy Apostles received the Holy Spirit, Who abundantly showered His great gifts upon them. Hence, they fervidly travelled the world, spreading the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. One of them is Simon the Zealot, who got to the British Isles, where he Christianized the inhabitants.

Saint Simon, originally from Cana in Galilee, was the bridegroom at the wedding where Jesus performed His first-ever miracle. Thus, he became a zealous follower of Christ, as says the name he bears. He became one of the twelve Apostles and proclaimed the Gospel of Christ in many places, from the British Isles to the Black Sea.

After winning numerous pagans to the Lord, Saint Simon suffered martyrdom by crucifixion. He is not to be mistaken for Apostle Simon Peter, nor the Lord’s relative Simon (Matthew 13:55) – second Bishop of Jerusalem, says Saint Demetrius of Rostov.

Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot is commemorated on May 10 and June 30 (with the other Apostles).

Having been Christianized from the very first century, therefore, bearing the pain of persecution and martyrdom for Christ, the countries of the United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each chose a patron saint. The tradition roots back to apostolic times, for communion with the saints of God, does not cease once they have left this world but intensifies in Christ.

Patron Saint of England

Saint George, the Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker (257 – 303 AD)

 A notable contribution to the history of the British Isles is attributed to Saint George too. Being known for living a life full of love for Christ, manifesting courage to martyrdom, and offering help and protection to all Christians who ask for his intervention, Saint George was chosen as the Patron Saint of England.

The event occurred in 1350 when King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter in Saint George’s name. As time went by, the English people honored Saint George more and more, thus becoming part of their spiritual lives. Moreover, William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564 – April 23, 1616), who was born and who also died on the Feast Day of Saint George, urged King Henry V to exclaim in his speech before the battle of Agincourt (October 25, 1415), the following: “Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George!”

Thus, Saint George entered the hearts of the people, and is to this day and age the protector of England, having the Feast Day on April 23 each year.

Patron saints
Patron saints

Patron Saint of Scotland

Holy Apostle Andrew (6 BC – 60 AD)

The first called disciple of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Holy Apostle Andrew, brother of Holy Apostle Peter, is the protector of Scotland. Local tradition claims that in addition to Bithynia, Scythia Minor, parts of Propontis and Chalcedon, Byzantium, Thrace, Macedonia, as well as the areas that lead to the Danube River, together with Thessaly, Grece, and parts of Achaia, and even the city of Amisos (Samsun, Turkey), Trebizond, Heraklia and Amasra, Holy Apostle Andrew came to Scotland too.

Here he would have founded a church in the town of Fife, which is now called Saint Andrew, a city that has a port on the North Sea. Another local tradition says that, somewhere in the beginning of the 4th century, parts of the relics of Holy Apostle Andrew were brought by Saint Rule, from Patras (Greece) to Scotland.

For the love and honor that the Scottish people showed to Holy Apostle Andrew, in 1320 he was proclaimed as the protector of Scotland, and it is so till today. His Feast Day occurs on November 30 each year.

Patron Saint of Wales

Holy Hierarch David of Menevia (500 – 589 AD)

A devoted and loving Bishop of Christ, Saint David of Menevia is the protector of Wales. After he was ordained a priest, he settled in the lands of south-west Wales, in Menevia, where he founded a monastery. The Abbey stood out due to the rigorous living of the flock, following the Fathers of the Desert, drinking only water, and eating only vegetables.

The monks were so well developed, spiritually and academically, that King Alfred the Great (847/849 – 899 AD) asked for their help in rebuilding the cultural life in the Kingdom of Wessex. The entire society was and still is touched by the work of Saint David, for which he is the symbol of Welsh spirituality. His Feast Day occurs on March 1 each year.

Patron saints
Patron saints

Patron Saint of Northern Ireland

Saint Patrik (385 – 461 AD)

Born in Britain at the end of the 4th century, Saint Patrick had a unique life. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by the pirates who roamed those lands and was sold as a slave in Ireland, where he was forced to tend sheep.

After six years he regained his freedom and returned to Britain. He entered church life and was ordained a priest. After his ordination, in 432 he returned to Ireland, where he preached the Good News, becoming a true apostle of that land.

After being elected and ordained a bishop, he increased his pastoral activity, and in 444 he founded the diocese of Armagh, located near Belfast, today the capital of Northern Ireland.

He died in 461, in the town of Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. His Feast Day occurs on March 17 each year.

Seeing the lives of these glorious saints, we understand that these lands are truly blessed by God. We see that the Lord sent his disciples to these lands, to preach the Holy Gospel, and call everyone to salvation. And by the words of Saint Sophronius of Essex, “The doctrine that man can deify himself entirely, not only to a certain extent, is the basis of our Christian anthropology.” Thus, Christianity in the British Isles has a strong history and a bright future. The missionary work of the Holy Church never stops, for it is driven by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who promised that she will not be defeated, no matter how many adversities will come our way.