A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, or Eastern Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person.[1][2]
Saints often become the patrons of places where they were born or had been active. However, there were cases in Medieval Europe where a city which grew to prominence and obtained for its cathedral the remains or some relics of a famous saint who had lived and was buried elsewhere, thus making them the city's patron saint – such a practice conferred considerable prestige on the city concerned. In Latin America and the Philippines, Spanish and Portuguese explorers often named a location for the saint on whose feast or commemoration day they first visited the place, with that saint naturally becoming the area's patron.[citation needed]
Occupations sometimes have a patron saint who had been connected somewhat with it, although some of the connections were tenuous. Lacking such a saint, an occupation would have a patron whose acts or miracles in some way recall the profession. For example, when the previously unknown occupation of photography appeared in the 19th century, Saint Veronica was made its patron, owing to how her veil miraculously received the imprint of Christ's face after she wiped off the blood and sweat.[3][4][5]
It is, however, generally discouraged in most Protestant branches such as Calvinism, where the practice is considered a form of idolatry.[7]
Catholicism
A canonized saint can be assigned as patron by a venerable tradition, or chosen by election. The saint is considered a special intercessor with God and the proper advocate of a particular locality, occupation, etc., and merits a special form of religious observance. A term in some ways comparable is "titular", which is applicable only to a church or institution.[8]
In Islam
Although Islam has no codified doctrine of patronage on the part of saints, it has nevertheless been an important part of both Sunni and Shia Islamic traditions that particularly important classical saints have served as the heavenly advocates for specific Muslim empires, nations, cities, towns, and villages.[9]Martin Lings wrote: "There is scarcely a region in the empire of Islam which has not a Sufi for its Patron Saint."[9]: 119 As the veneration accorded saints often develops purely organically in Islamic climates, in a manner different from Catholic and Eastern OrthodoxChristianity, "patron saints" are often recognized through popular acclaim rather than through official declaration.[9] Traditionally, it has been understood that the patron saint of a particular place prays for that place's wellbeing and for the health and happiness of all who live therein.[9]
However, the Wahhabi and Salafi movements have latterly attacked the veneration of saints (as patron or otherwise), which they claim are a form of idolatry or shirk.[9] More mainstream Sunni clerics have critiqued this argument since Wahhabism first emerged in the 18th century.[10] Still though, the veneration of saints in the Sunni World is as high as ever.
In Eastern religions
In Hinduism, certain sects may devote themselves to the veneration of a saint, such as the Balmiki sect that reveres Valmiki.[11]
Buddhism also includes the idea of protector deities, which are called "Dharma protectors" (Dharmapala).
^Slocum, Robert Boak; Armentrout, Donald S. (2000). "Patronal Feast". An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians. New York: Church Publishing, Inc. p. 390. ISBN0-89869-211-3.
^C.W.G.; R.G. (11 September 1852). "St. Veronica (Vol. vi., p.199)". Notes and Queries. London. 6 (150): 252.
^"Archaeological Intelligence". The Archaeological Journal. 7: 413. 1850. doi:10.1080/00665983.1850.10850808.
^Butler, Alban (2000). "St. Veronica (First Century)". In Doyle, Peter (ed.). Lives of the Saints: July (New full ed.). Tunbridge Wells: Burns & Oates. pp. 84–86. ISBN0-86012-256-5. OCLC 877793679 – via Google Books.
^Gibson, Henry (1882). "Twenty-Fifth Instruction". Catechism Made Easy: Being a Familiar Explanation of the Catechism of Christian Doctrine (No. 2). Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). London: Burns and Oates. p. 310 – via Internet Archive.
^Duke, A.C.; Lewis, Gillian; Pettegree, Andrew, eds. (1992). "Managing a country parish: A country pastor's advice to his successor". Calvinism in Europe, 1540–1610: A Collection of Documents. p. 53. ISBN0-7190-3552-X. OCLC 429210690.
^Knight, Kevin (2020). "Patron Saints". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
^ abcdeLings, Martin (2005) [1983]. What is Sufism?. Lahore: Suhail Academy. pp. 119–120 etc.
^Commins, David (2009). The Wahhabi Mission and Saudi Arabia. I.B.Tauris. p. 59. Abd al-Latif, who would become the next supreme religious leader ... enumerated the harmful views that Ibn Jirjis openly espoused in Unayza: Supplicating the dead is not a form of worship but merely calling out to them, so it is permitted. Worship at graves is not idolatry unless the supplicant believes that buried saints have the power to determine the course of events. Whoever declares that there is no god but God and prays toward Mecca is a believer.
^Kananaikil, Jose (1983). Scheduled Castes and the Struggle Against Inequality: Strategies to Empower the Marginalised. Indian Social Institute. p. 17.
External links
Catholic Online: Patron Saints
Henry Parkinson (1913). "Patron Saints" . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
patron, saint, racehorse, patron, saint, horse, patron, saint, patroness, saint, patron, hallow, heavenly, protector, saint, catholicism, anglicanism, eastern, orthodoxy, regarded, heavenly, advocate, nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, person. For the racehorse see Patron Saint horse A patron saint patroness saint patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism Anglicanism or Eastern Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation place craft activity class clan family or person 1 2 Saint Matthew the Apostle depicted with an angel is the patron saint of Salerno Italy bankers and tax collectors A branch of Saint Honore Cake Shop a Hong Kong chain bakery Saint Honorius Honore is the patron saint of bakers and confectioners The term may be applied to individuals to whom similar roles are ascribed in other religions Contents 1 In Christianity 1 1 Catholicism 2 In Islam 3 In Eastern religions 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksIn Christianity EditSaints often become the patrons of places where they were born or had been active However there were cases in Medieval Europe where a city which grew to prominence and obtained for its cathedral the remains or some relics of a famous saint who had lived and was buried elsewhere thus making them the city s patron saint such a practice conferred considerable prestige on the city concerned In Latin America and the Philippines Spanish and Portuguese explorers often named a location for the saint on whose feast or commemoration day they first visited the place with that saint naturally becoming the area s patron citation needed Occupations sometimes have a patron saint who had been connected somewhat with it although some of the connections were tenuous Lacking such a saint an occupation would have a patron whose acts or miracles in some way recall the profession For example when the previously unknown occupation of photography appeared in the 19th century Saint Veronica was made its patron owing to how her veil miraculously received the imprint of Christ s face after she wiped off the blood and sweat 3 4 5 The veneration or commemoration and recognition of patron saints or saints in general is found in Catholicism including Eastern Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Oriental Orthodoxy and among some Lutherans and Anglicans According to the Catholic catechism a person s patron saint having already attained the beatific vision is able to intercede with God for their needs 6 It is however generally discouraged in most Protestant branches such as Calvinism where the practice is considered a form of idolatry 7 Catholicism Edit A canonized saint can be assigned as patron by a venerable tradition or chosen by election The saint is considered a special intercessor with God and the proper advocate of a particular locality occupation etc and merits a special form of religious observance A term in some ways comparable is titular which is applicable only to a church or institution 8 In Islam EditAlthough Islam has no codified doctrine of patronage on the part of saints it has nevertheless been an important part of both Sunni and Shia Islamic traditions that particularly important classical saints have served as the heavenly advocates for specific Muslim empires nations cities towns and villages 9 Martin Lings wrote There is scarcely a region in the empire of Islam which has not a Sufi for its Patron Saint 9 119 As the veneration accorded saints often develops purely organically in Islamic climates in a manner different from Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity patron saints are often recognized through popular acclaim rather than through official declaration 9 Traditionally it has been understood that the patron saint of a particular place prays for that place s wellbeing and for the health and happiness of all who live therein 9 However the Wahhabi and Salafi movements have latterly attacked the veneration of saints as patron or otherwise which they claim are a form of idolatry or shirk 9 More mainstream Sunni clerics have critiqued this argument since Wahhabism first emerged in the 18th century 10 Still though the veneration of saints in the Sunni World is as high as ever In Eastern religions EditIn Hinduism certain sects may devote themselves to the veneration of a saint such as the Balmiki sect that reveres Valmiki 11 Buddhism also includes the idea of protector deities which are called Dharma protectors Dharmapala See also Edit Saints portalCalendar of saints Guardian angel List of blesseds List of saints Patron saints of ailments illness and dangers Patron saints of occupations and activities Patron saints of places Patron saints of ethnic groups Military saints Saint symbolism Tutelary deityReferences Edit Slocum Robert Boak Armentrout Donald S 2000 Patronal Feast An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians New York Church Publishing Inc p 390 ISBN 0 89869 211 3 patron saint The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 4th ed Houghton Mifflin Company 2006 p 1290 ISBN 0 618 70172 9 C W G R G 11 September 1852 St Veronica Vol vi p 199 Notes and Queries London 6 150 252 Archaeological Intelligence The Archaeological Journal 7 413 1850 doi 10 1080 00665983 1850 10850808 Butler Alban 2000 St Veronica First Century In Doyle Peter ed Lives of the Saints July New full ed Tunbridge Wells Burns amp Oates pp 84 86 ISBN 0 86012 256 5 OCLC 877793679 via Google Books Gibson Henry 1882 Twenty Fifth Instruction Catechism Made Easy Being a Familiar Explanation of the Catechism of Christian Doctrine No 2 Vol 1 2nd ed London Burns and Oates p 310 via Internet Archive Duke A C Lewis Gillian Pettegree Andrew eds 1992 Managing a country parish A country pastor s advice to his successor Calvinism in Europe 1540 1610 A Collection of Documents p 53 ISBN 0 7190 3552 X OCLC 429210690 Knight Kevin 2020 Patron Saints Catholic Encyclopedia Retrieved 28 August 2021 a b c d e Lings Martin 2005 1983 What is Sufism Lahore Suhail Academy pp 119 120 etc Commins David 2009 The Wahhabi Mission and Saudi Arabia I B Tauris p 59 Abd al Latif who would become the next supreme religious leader enumerated the harmful views that Ibn Jirjis openly espoused in Unayza Supplicating the dead is not a form of worship but merely calling out to them so it is permitted Worship at graves is not idolatry unless the supplicant believes that buried saints have the power to determine the course of events Whoever declares that there is no god but God and prays toward Mecca is a believer Kananaikil Jose 1983 Scheduled Castes and the Struggle Against Inequality Strategies to Empower the Marginalised Indian Social Institute p 17 External links EditCatholic Online Patron Saints Henry Parkinson 1913 Patron Saints In Herbermann Charles ed Catholic Encyclopedia New York Robert Appleton Company Patron Saint Encyclopedia Americana 1920 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Patron saint amp oldid 1167688336, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
