I found everyone of these hagiographical stories to be quite unique and entertaining. They infuse historical characters who lived during the Roman Persecutions with mythical legends. It's no doubt that each of these 14 saints existed and showed some form of devotion to Christ. However some of their stories have been exaggerated into folk legends of divine intervention; such as Saint Denis walking with his chopped head, or Saint Margaret beating the devil with a hammer, or Saint George slaying a dragon. I think it's great allegorical tales, no different then the Old Testament legends of Noah, Moses, and Joshua. While the details might be farfetched, the core message is still there. These are all martyrs (except for Saint Giles who was accidentally killed) who gave themselves completely to Christ.
Saint Eustace
- Years: 70-118 AD
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- Nationality: Rome (Roman Empire)
- Life: This was likely a legendary tale of a high ranking Roman general named Eustace serving under emperor Trajan who was a devout pagan. However one day while hunting he received a vision from Jesus as a stag (where there was a crucifix between the antlers). The voice of Jesus asked him why do you persecute me? At this Placidus felt the presence of the lord and completely converted and changed his name to Eustace (similar to St. Paul). He even had his family baptized. However Jesus warned Eustace that his faith would be tested and he would suffer the same way as Job did in the Old Testament. Eustace then lost his wealth, his title, his wife is taken by a ship captain, and his two sons are taken by wild animals. Eustace goes into isolation, yet despite all this tribulation he remains faithful to the lord. Eventually the emperor calls for him to lead his army, where he is miraculously reunited with his wife and sons who are all still alive. The emperor then demands sacrifice to the Roman gods, but when Eustace refuses he is sentenced to death. His martyrdom is a noteworthy death, where he is placed inside a bronze bull and roasted to death. Although it is legendary it is still a great story of preserving the faith despite the hardships that arise.
- Cause of Death: Burned to death
- Patronage: Fire protection, hunters, trappers, against family discord, difficult situations
- Symbols: Bull, horn, stag, oven
- Feast Day: Sept 20
- Famous Churches:
- Basilica di Sant'Eustachio (Rome, Italy)- 8th century- Considered his primary shrine with his relics, and a facade of a deer's head with a cross between the antlers
- Eglise Saint-Eustache (Paris, France)- 1532-1633- One of the largest and most impressive churches in Paris next to Notre Dame. Contains some of his relics.
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- Years: 220- 258 (38 years)
- Nationality: Rome, Roman Empire
- Life: He was a Roman missionary who arrived to Gaul to become the first bishop of Paris. The majority of Paris was still very pagan at the time and he faced heavy opposition to his faith. Despite these warnings he continued to openly preach the word of Christ. He eventually caught the attention of the Roman authorities under emperor Decian, who began to persecute him. He was arrested, tried, and condemned to death. Perhaps his greatest claim to fame is the manner of which he was martyred. He we beheaded by sword, however according to legend he miraculously picked up his head and continued preaching a sermon. He continued walking for some time, and once he finished his sermon he lay down to die on his own terms. Of course this is likely a mythical aspect, however he is still regarded as a historical saint. He is one of the fourteen holy helper saints and is the Patron Saint of France.
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
- Patronage: Paris, headaches, strife, hydrophobia, possessed people
- Symbols: Bishop robes, carrying his head
- Feast Day: October 9
- Famous Churches:
- Basilica of Saint-Denis (Paris, France)- 636; Rebuilt in 1135- His primary shrine that contains his tomb and other relics
- Martyrium of Saint Denis (Paris, France)- 475- Chapel that is considered the site of his martyrdom
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
Saint Christopher
- Years: 220-251 AD
- Nationality: Lycia (Roman Asia Minor)
- Life: This is very likely a legendary tale that emerged in the 250-300s. Saint Christopher was a giant from Canaanite who faithfully served his king. Canaan was a biblical region in the Old Testament that no longer existed at this time, but could also mean he was a pagan . When he saw his king was afraid of the devil, he went to confront the devil, and instead was convinced to follow the devil. He quickly learns however that the devil is afraid of the sign of the Cross which confirms that Christ must be stronger. He then sets out to find Christ thru prayer and fasting. He eventually comes to a large river, where a small child asks him to carry him across. Christopher carries the young child on his shoulders, but the river is powerful and they both nearly drown. The child reveals that he is not only carrying him, but also the weight of the world (thus indicating that he is Jesus Christ). This is how he gets his name of Christopher which means Christ-bearer. He is later martyred in very cruel fashion by putting him on a red-hot iron chair and even making him wear a heated iron helmet. He somehow survives all this torture but is eventually killed by beheadeding. His historical credibility is questionable, and in eastern tradition he is depicted with the head of a dog to imply this. He is considered one of the more popular saints during the medieval age known as the Fourteen Helpers.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Athletes, bachelors, transportation, traveling, surfing, storms, gardeners, toothaches, epilepsy
- Symbols: Tree branch, giants, carry Child on his shoulders, spears, dog-headed man.
- Feast Day: July 24
- Famous Churches:
- Basilica of the Fourteen Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772. Dedicated to the fourteen helpers with shrines
St. Erasmus (Elmo)
Saint Pantaleon
Saint George
- Years: 250-303 (53 years)
- Nationality: Formia, Roman Empire
- Life: He was a bishop of Formia, who decided to hide in the mountains during the ongoing Diocletian Persecution. He hid there for seven years, until an angel appeared to him and convinced him to return to the city to bravely face his enemies. On his return trip he was captured by Roman soldiers, imprisoned, but an angel helped him escape. He then passed thru Lycia, Anatolia and converted many other people thru miraculous healings and baptisms. He was once again captured there, enclosed in a barrel of spikes and rolled down a hill. He survived once again thru the intervention of an angel. In Illyricum he converted many more pagans to Christianity but was once again arrested. This time he was famously disemboweled and had his intestines pulled out by a rotating windlass. This horrific death was likely exaggerated however it is one of his most recognizable details. For this alone he is one of the 14 Holy Helpers called upon for stomach sickness and electrical storms (which sailors referred to as St. Elmos Fire).
- Cause of Death: Disembowelment
- Patronage: Sailors, stomach sickness, women in labor
- Symbols: Intensines being pulled by a windlass, bishop robes
- Feast Day: June 2
- Famous Churches:
- Cathedral of Saint Erasmus and Marcia (Gaeta, Italy)- 11 th century- Contains his main relics and burial tomb.
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
Saint Blaise
- Years: 260-316 AD
- Nationality: Sebastea, Armenia
- Life: He was a doctor in the city of Sebastea, Armenia (present day Sivas, Turkey). He spent several years studying medicine in a cave where he prayed to Christ and practiced medicine. During this time he healed many people as well as animals thru the divine intervention. The people came to admire him and he was later elected bishop of Sebastea. However the Roman emperor sent a Roman prefect to persecute Christians in the region which included St. Blaise. Despite imprisonment and torture with iron combs he refused to renounce Christ. As he was being marched to his death in the city streets, a woman presented her sick child hoping he could heal her. The child was choking on a fishbone and Blaise said a prayer to miraculously heal the child. This was his claim to fame and he forever became the patron saint of throat sickness. He was eventually beheaded and became a martyr. He is one of the 14 Holy Helpers called upon for protection against throat sickness and animals. The blessing of St. Blaise is a famous tradition now in some churches which includes two candles crossed over someone's throat to protect them from illness.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Infants, animals, throat sickness, builders, stonecutters, wool, choking, veterinarians, illness
- Symbols: Bishop robes, animals, crossed candles, wool comb, choking boy
- Feast Day: Feb 3
- Famous Churches:
- Basilica di San Biago (Maratea, Italy)- 732- Considered his primary shrine with many of his relics. He is the patron saint of Maratea.
- St. Blaise's Church (Dubrovnik, Croatia)- 1706- Has many of St. Blaise's relics as well as the tomb of St. Silvan.
- Church of San Biago (Montepulciano, Tuscany)- 1518
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
St. Cyracius
- Years: 260-303 (43 years)
- Nationality: Rome, Roman Empire
- Life: He was a Roman nobleman who converted to Christianity in his adult years and gave away his material wealth to the poor. He was ordained a deacon under Pope Marcellinus where he ministered mostly to the slaves in the Baths of Diocletian. He is also credited with preforming exorcisms. However in the year 303, co-emperors Diocletian and Maximiam issued harsh edicts against Christians that led to the Diocletian Persecution. This is considered the final severe purge of Christians before Constantine came to power. Cyracius was ultimately tortured and beheaded for not renouncing Christ. He was martyred with 27 other saints, including St. Erasmus. He is one the 14 Holy Helpers called for protection against demons.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Temptation on the deathbed, viticulture
- Symbols: Deacon robes, book of exorcism
- Feast Day: June 7
- Famous Churches:
- Santa Maria in Via Lata (Rome, Italy)- 4th century- Although dedicated to Saint Mary, this is considered his primary shrine with relics
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
Saint Barbara
- Years: 270-306 (36 years)
- Nationality: Heliopolis, Syria
- Life: This is likely another legendary story about a wealthy woman named Barbara who was locked in a tower by her pagan father. Her father sought to maintain her virginity and keep suitors away. While in the tower she came to appreciate nature and the monastic lifestyle which inspired her to convert to Christianity. During this time she was visited by a priest in disguise who baptized her while in the tower. Barbara later requested a third window be added to her tower which was to represent the Holy Trinity. When her father returned he questioned her motives, and she confessed her faith. He then had her dragged to the authorities, arrested, tortured, and executed. Each night her dark cell was miraculously illuminated with light and her wounds were healed. She was eventually beheaded by her own father, however immediately after the exeuction he was struck down dead by lightning. Despite her martydom her story is considered more legendary then historical. She is regarded as one of the 14 Holy Helpers popular during the Middle Ages.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Architects, armorers, artillery, fireworks, firemen, mathematicians, miners, chemical engineers, prisoners
- Symbols: Three window tower, palm, chalice, lightning, crown of martyrdom
- Feast Day: Dec 4
- Famous Churches:
- St. Barbara's Church (Krakow, Poland)- 1338-1402- One of the most important churches dedicated to her that became a center for the Brotherhood of St. Barbara
- Mission Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, California)- 1786- Franciscan missionary that was established on the feast day of St. Barbara
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
Saint Acacius (Agathius)
- Years: 270-303 AD (33 years)
- Nationality: Cappadocia, Roman Empire
- Life: He was a Roman soldier who was Christian, during the years of Diocletian's heavy persecution. He was eventually discovered for not worshiping the pagan gods, and was forced to face Roman authorities. He refused to renounce his beliefs despite imprisonment and torture. He was eventually beheaded for his faith and became a martyr. During the middle ages he was later considered a heroic saint for his courage under pressure. He is one of the 14 holy helper saints often called upon during battle. He's one of the more famous Roman soldier saints alongside Longinus.
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
- Patronage: Battle, Soldiers, headaches
- Symbols: Wearing armor, Cross, palm branch, sword
- Feast Day: May 7
- Famous Churches:
- Cathedral of Squillace (Calabria, Italy)- 630- Has many of his relics and shrines preserved here.
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
Saint Pantaleon
- Years: 275-305 (30 years)
- Nationality: Nicomedia, Turkey
- Life: He was the son of a rich pagan, whose mother was a secret Christian. Pantaleon studied medicine and became a skilled physician. He later met an elder priest named Hermolaus who asked him if knowledge heals or if it is thru God. Feeling unsure of himself Pantaleon then called upon God to help him heal a young boy that had been bitten by a snake. The child was immediately healed and Pantaleon became a devout follower of Christ. He eventually began healing the sick at no charge, all in the name of the God. Eventually the other physicians grew jealous at his successful healings and began to question his methods. This case made it's way up to Emperor Maximian who was eager to persecute Christians. Pantaleon faced a trial by faith, in which he was able to heal a man thru Christ, while the pagan priests were not. Nonetheless he was still tortured in various methods, and somehow miraculously escaped each attempt. Even upon his beheading the blade bent. Knowing his end was at hand, Pantelon told the executioner to try again, and this time the strike fell true. He is regarded as one of the 14 Holy Helpers who treats the sick and poor.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Physicians, apothecaries, midwives, livestock, lottery, headaches, accidents, loneliness, crying children
- Symbols: Medicine box, spatula, spoon, martyr's cross
- Feast Day: July 27
- Famous Churches:
- Chiesa di San Pantaleone Martire (Venice, Italy)- 12th century- Dedicated to St. Pantaleon. Largest canvas ceiling in the world
- St. Pantaleon's Church (Cologne, Germany)- 10th century- Oldest church dedicated to St. Pantaleon.
- St. Panteleimon Monastery (Mount Athos, Greece)- 11th century- Primary Russian monastery
- Pantaleon Monastery (Jordan Desert)- 6th century- Site of his burial tomb. Built by emperor Justinian
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
Saint George
- Years: 275-303 (28 years)
- Nationality: Anatolia, Turkey
- Life: He is one of the most popular saints of the medieval age, regarded as the holy warrior. He joined the Roman Army where he quickly climbed ranks within the Praetorian Guard to become an office. His greatest claim to fame was slaying a dragon that was reeking havoc on a town in Libya. Legend has it the town had to feed the dragon sheep and children to keep the peace. When the king's daughter was selected she appealed to Saint George to save her. George made a deal with the king, that he would save the town if they all converted to Christianity which they gladly did. He then killed the dragon with a lance. Despite this heroic deed, George later faced persecution from the Roman emperor Diocletian. He was eventually tortured, dragged thru the streets, and beheaded for not worshiping the Roman pagan Gods.
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
- Patronage: Soldiers, Cavalry, leprosy, sheep, shepherds, farmers, armor, England, Georgia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Palestine
- Symbols: Crusader in armor, lance, dragon, Saint George's cross
- Feast Day: April 23
- Famous Churches:
- Church of St. George (Lod, Israel) 5th Century- Burial site of St. George
- St. George Cathedral (Timisoara, Romania) 1736-1774
- St. George's Monastery (Al Khader, Palestine)
- St. George's Chapel (Winsdor, England) 1475- part of Windsor Castle
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
- Years: 287-305 (18 years)
- Nationality: Alexandria, Egypt (Roman-Egypt)
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- Life: She was a brilliant noblewoman who completely dedicated to Christ after receiving a vision from God. She was renown for her intellectual ability and was later challenged by the Pagan priests. She debated nearly 50 of the top pagan philosophers at a time, and was able to best them all. Many of which were so impressed with her knowledge of Christ, that they themselves converted to Christianity (many of which are quickly executed for their failure). Catherine is also sentenced to death by the spiked breaking wheel, however the deadly mechanism breaks thru divine intervention. She is then executed by beheading. According to legend, upon her beheading, milk shot out from her neck instead of blood.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Unmarried girls, apologists, potters, spinners, archivists, educators, jurists, librarians, mechanics, philosophers, scholars, students, school,
- Symbols: Breaking wheel, sword, crown at her feet, hailstones, bridal veil and ring, dove, surrounded by angels, scourge, book
- Feast Day: November 25
- Famous Churches:
- Saint Catherine Monastery (Sinai, Egypt)- 548- Believed to be the location of her tomb with many relics.
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Saint Margaret the Virgin
- Years: 289-304 (15 years)
- Nationality: Antioch, Turkey
- Life: She was a beautiful young teenager who choose the virtuous life in devotion to Christ. Her father was a pagan priest and he was greatly shamed and disappointed by her conversion. Furthermore a Roman official came on to her and had her arrested for not worshipping the pagan gods. She was even tortured in the prison chambers where she was visited by a dragon (representing the devil). She famously fought with the dragon, who swallowed her, however with her cross she was able to break free and defeat it. Despite enduring several trials of torture she was eventually beheaded. She became a feminine hero, and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers called upon during the medieval age.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Pregnant women, nurses, peasants, exiles, kidney disease
- Symbols: Slaying a dragon or demon, hammer
- Feast Day: July 20
- Famous Churches:
- Saint Margaret's Westminster Church (London, England)- 12th century
Saint Vitus
- Years: 290-303 (13 years)
- Nationality: Luciana, Italy
- Life: This is another of the legendary 14 helper saints popular during the Medieval Ages (especially Central Europe). He was born of a noble family from Sicily and became a devout Christian as a child thru his tutor. He refused to renounce Christ despite pressure from his pagan parents. He later fled to southern Italy, but was captured, arrested, tortured, and executed. According to legend he survived multiple torture attempts thru boiling water, wild animals, and savage beatings all thru divine intervention. Vitus eventually died from one of these methods, likely beheading (he was only 13 years old). His patronage to healing came after his death, where people prayed to him during the Black Death. He was especially associated to epilepsy, convulsions, and seizers which is how the St. Vitus Dance tradition began. People would often dance at his statue during festivals. Because of this tradition he not only became a saint of sickness but also a saint of music and dance. In retrospect his martyrdom was no different then thousands of others with hardly any mention of healing or dancing. However his legend grew after his death thru cultural practice.
- Cause of Death: Beheading
- Patronage: Actors, comedians, Czechia, Croatia, dancers, dogs, epilepsy, oversleeping, Prague, snake bites, storms, Germany
- Symbols: Cauldron, Rooster, lion
- Feast Day: June 15
- Famous Churches:
- St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague, Czechia)- 930- Contains relics of St. Vitus. One of the most iconic cathedrals in Europe
- Abbey of Corvey (Hoxter, Germany)- 836- Also contains main relics of St. Vitus
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
Saint Giles
- Years: 650-710 (60 years)
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- Nationality: Athens, Greece
- Life: The story of Saint Giles is likely one of a real historical monk that was turned into legend. He was a Christian from Athens, Greece but migrated to Arles, France that was under the control of the Visigoth Kingdom. He lived the aesthetic life in the forests of southern France in constant prayer and reflection. His only companion was a red deer, who provided him with warm milk and friendship. One day the Visigoth king Wamba went on a hunting party and chased after the red deer. He shot an arrow at the deer but it missed and struck St. Giles instead. The king quickly apologized and offered Giles medical treatment, but Giles refused and lived with the pain of the wound for some time. As a token of humility the king Wamba built Giles a monastery which he became abbot of a Benedictian order. He died shortly after the establishment of this monastery and is regarded as a Holy Helper for the handicap. Since his wound was accidental he's more of a monastic saint than a martyr saint, however I'm going to include here for the sake of the Holy 14.
- Cause of Death: Arrow wound
- Patronage: Beggars, blacksmiths, breast cancer, cancer, disabled people, forests, hermits, mental illness, outcasts, poor people, deer, Edinburgh
- Symbols: Arrow, deer, hermitage, hind
- Feast Day: Sept 1
- Famous Churches:
- Abbey of Saint Giles (Saint Giles, France)- 7th century- Monastery that was built by King Wamba, dedicated to Saint Giles. He is buried here in a crypt.
- St. Giles Cathedral (Edinburg, Scotland)- 1124-1243- One of the most impressive and historic churches in Scotland
- Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (Bad Staffelstein, Germany)- 1743-1772
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