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Saints, Prophets, Apostles and Others

Here are pictures and information about many of the figures that have been painted on the Devon rood screens. Some of the images are saints, but there are also Old Testament prophets and others such as Adam, Eve, Salome and so forth.

In medieval art, saints were often depicted with specific attributes or emblems that served as visual symbols to identify them and convey their significance. These emblems helped viewers to easily recognize and understand the identity and attributes of the saints represented in paintings or sculptures. The prophets in most cases had no real symbols (apart from David with his harp), so in some churches their names were painted beside the image (eg. Chudleigh, Ipplepen and Kenton). However, these aren't always very easy to interpret.

The dates shown for each of the saints refer to the commemorative saint's day. Important to the Catholic church, less so for Protestants.

St Adrian

8th September

Adrian

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Adrian was a Roman soldier who was painfully martyred in 304 at Nicomedia. Patron saint of soldiers.

Anvil

St Agatha

5th February

Agatha

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St. Agatha, of Sicily, is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of the Catholic Church.

Breasts on a dish, a breast in pincers

St Agnes

21st January

Agnes

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Saint Agnes was a Roman virgin and martyr who died in the early 4th century. She is one of the most revered virgin martyrs in Christianity. According to tradition, she was martyred at a young age for refusing to marry a pagan Roman prefect.

Lamb, a palm branch or a sword in her neck

St Alexis

17th July

Alexis

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A Roman who chose to live in religious poverty.

St Ambrose

7th December

Ambrose

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Ambrose was a bishop of Milan and a prominent theologian. He played a key role in the conversion of Augustine of Hippo and is known for his teachings on ethics and the sacraments. The beehive symbolises Ambrose's eloquence and his influence on Christian theology.

Beehive, a book.

St Andrew

30th November

Andrew

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One of the Twelve Apostles and the brother of Peter. Tradition holds that he was crucified on an X-shaped cross.

Saltire (X-shaped cross)

St Anthony

17th January

Anthony

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Saint Anthony of Egypt, considered the father of Christian monasticism. He withdrew to the desert to live a life of prayer, fasting, and solitude, inspiring many to follow his example.

Tau cross, pig. bell

St Apollonia

17th February

Apollonia

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Apollonia is often depicted with pincers holding a tooth, representing the torture she endured, having her teeth pulled out during her martyrdom. Apollonia was an early Christian martyr who lived during the reign of Emperor Philip in Alexandria. She refused to renounce her faith and faced persecution, including the brutal removal of her teeth.

Pincers or tooth.

St Armel

16th August

Armel

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Saint Armel, a Breton hermit and missionary. He is venerated in Brittany for his efforts in spreading Christianity.

Hermit's staff, fish, stag.

St Aubert

10th September

Aubert

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Saint Aubert was a bishop of Avranches. He is best known for founding the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy.

Key, rooster, skull.

St Augustine

28th August

Augustine

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Saint Augustine of Hippo, a prominent theologian and philosopher. His writings profoundly influenced Western Christianity.

Bishop's mitre, crozier, heart with flames.

St Barbara

4th December

Barbara

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Barbara was a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century. She was imprisoned and later executed by her own father after converting to Christianity. Barbara is often depicted with a tower, representing the place of her imprisonment, or with a chalice and sacramental wafer.

Tower and palm

St Barnabas

11th June

Barnabas

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Barnabas and Paul successfully evangelized among the "God-fearing" Gentiles who attended synagogues in various Hellenized cities of Anatolia.

Book, olive branch and holding a stone

St Bartholomew

24th August

Bartholomew

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One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Little is known about his life, and he is often identified with Nathanael in the Gospel of John.

Flaying knife, book.

St Bavo

1st October

Bavo

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This famous hermit, also called Allowin, was a nobleman, and native of that part of Brabant called Hesbaye.

Armour, sword, and rich clothing

St Benedict

11th July

Benedict

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Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco in present-day Lazio, Italy before moving to Monte Cassino around 520. Benedictines are an influential monastic order.

In black with a crosier

St Bernard

20th August

Bernard

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Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian monk and influential theologian. He was a reformer and a key figure in the Cistercian order.

Bees, white dog.

St Blaise

3rd February

Blaise

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Saint Blaise was a physician and bishop. He is known for healing a boy who was choking on a fishbone, and he is invoked for throat ailments on his feast day.

Wool combs, candles.

St Boniface

5th June

Boniface

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Saint Boniface was a missionary and the "Apostle to the Germans." He played a significant role in the Christianization of Germanic tribes and is considered a martyr.

Oak tree, axe, book.

St Bridget

23rd July

Bridget

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Saint Bridget of Sweden, a mystic and founder of the Bridgettines. She is known for her visions and piety, and she played a role in the reform of the Church.

Cross, lamp, loom.

St Catherine

25th November

Catherine

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Saint Catherine is often shown with a spiked wheel, representing the instrument of her intended martyrdom. According to the hagiography, the wheel miraculously broke when she was sentenced to death, and she was eventually beheaded.

Wheel and sword

St Catherine Siena

29th April

Catherine Siena

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Saint Catherine of Siena was a mystic, theologian, and Dominican tertiary. She is known for her spiritual writings, her role in Church politics, and her dedication to caring for the sick.

Crown of thorns, lily, heart, book.

St Cecilia

22nd November

Cecilia

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Saint Cecilia is the patroness of musicians. She is believed to have been a Roman noblewoman and Christian martyr who sang to God in her heart.

Organ, musical instruments, garland of roses

St Christina

24th July

Christina

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Saint Christina of Tyre was a Christian martyr who is said to have miraculously survived various forms of execution. She is often depicted with a millstone.

Millstone, palm of martyrdom, arrows

St Christopher

25th July

Christopher

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Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. According to legend, he carried the Christ Child across a river and discovered that he was carrying the weight of the world.

Staff, Christ child on shoulder, river.

St Clement

23rd November

Clement

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Pope Saint Clement I was an early Christian leader and the third Pope. He is considered a martyr and is known for his Epistle to the Corinthians.

Anchor, papal tiara, book.

St Cornelius

16th September

Cornelius

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Pope Saint Cornelius was the Bishop of Rome and Pope during a period of Christian persecution. He is venerated as a martyr for his defense of the faith.

Papal tiara, book, sword.

St Cosmas

26th September

Cosmas

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Twin brothers and physicians who were early Christian martyrs. They are patron saints of doctors and surgeons.

Medical instruments, pharmacy items.

St Cynthia

30th January

Cynthia

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She was an Egyptian girl who was martyred under Decius.  Because she would not worship idols, her feet were tied to a horse and she was dragged through the streets.

St Damien

26th September

Damien

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Twin brothers and physicians who were early Christian martyrs. They are patron saints of doctors and surgeons.

Medical instruments, pharmacy items.

St Denis

9th October

Denis

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Saint Denis was a Christian martyr and the first bishop of Paris. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is venerated as a patron saint of France.

Bishop holding his decapitated head.

St Dominic

8th August

Dominic

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A Catholic priest who founded the Dominican order.

A dog bearing a torch, a star

St Dorothy

6th February

Dorothy

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A virgin martyr who is venerated for her steadfastness in faith and her charitable acts.

Flowers, basket of fruit.

St Dunstan

19th May

Dunstan

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Saint Dunstan was an Abbot of Glastonbury and the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a skilled metalworker and played a key role in the reform of the Church in England.

Harp, tongs, anvil.

St Edward

13th October

Edward

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Saint Edward the Confessor was an English king known for his piety. He played a role in the construction of Westminster Abbey and is considered a model of Christian kingship.

Crown, scepter, model of a church.

St Elizabeth

5th November

Elizabeth

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Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was a princess known for her charitable works and care for the poor. She is the patron saint of bakers and charities.

Roses, bread, pitcher.

St Erasmus

2nd June

Erasmus

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Also known as Saint Elmo, he was a bishop and martyr. He is invoked against stomach ailments and cramps.

Windlass, cauldron.

St Ethelreda

23rd June

Ethelreda

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Saint Ethelreda was an Anglo-Saxon princess who became a queen and later an abbess. She founded the double monastery of Ely and is remembered for her piety and commitment to religious life.

Crown, abbess's crozier, book.

St Francis Assisi

4th October

Francis Assisi

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Saint Francis of Assisi was the founder of the Franciscan Order. He is known for his love of nature, poverty, and his dedication to Christ.

Tau cross, birds, wolf, stigmata

St Genevieve

3rd January

Genevieve

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Saint Genevieve was a French nun and the patroness of Paris. She is credited with saving Paris from Attila the Hun through her prayers.

Candle, shepherd's crook.

St George

23rd April

George

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Saint George is famously depicted slaying a dragon, symbolizing his victory over evil. This image is often associated with the idea of a Christian knight battling spiritual darkness.

Dragon, red cross

St Gertrude

17th March

Gertrude

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Saint Gertrude of Nivelles was a medieval Christian saint and the abbess of the Abbey of Nivelles in present-day Belgium. She is known for her devotion to prayer and her care for the sick.

Crown, pastoral staff, mice.

St Gilbert

4th February

Gilbert

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Saint Gilbert of Sempringham was an English priest who founded the Gilbertine Order, the only medieval religious order of English origin. The order had both monks and nuns living in the same community.

Abbot's crosier, Benedictine habit.

St Giles

1st September

Giles

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Saint Giles was a hermit in the forests of Provence, France. He is considered one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is invoked against physical disabilities.

Hind (deer), arrow, book.

St Gregory

3rd September

Gregory

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Pope Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great. He was a theologian and is credited with liturgical reforms. He is one of the Latin Doctors of the Church.

Dove, papal tiara, book.

St Gudule

8th January

Gudule

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Saint Gudule was a 7th-century Belgian saint. She is the patroness of Brussels and is known for her dedication to prayer and her care for the poor.

Lantern, candles, deer.

St Helena

18th August

Helena

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Saint Helena, also known as Saint Helen, was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. She is credited with discovering the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Cross, nails, royal crown.

St Henry VI

13th July

Henry VI

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Saint Henry VI, also known as Emperor Henry VI, was a Holy Roman Emperor and the husband of Saint Matilda of Tuscany. He was known for his piety and efforts to bring about peace in Italy.

Royal crown, scepter, youthful

St Hubert

3rd November

Hubert

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Saint Hubert was a Christian saint and the patron saint of hunters. He is often depicted with a hunting scene and is venerated for his conversion after a miraculous vision.

Hunting horn, stag, crossbow.

St James Major

25th July

James Major

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One of the Twelve Apostles and brother of John. Tradition holds that he preached in Spain and is considered the patron saint of pilgrims.

Pilgrim's staff, scallop shell, book.

St James Minor

3rd May

James Minor

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Another of the Twelve Apostles, also known as James the Less. He may have been the brother of Jesus and the author of the Epistle of James.

Fuller's club.

St Jerome

30th September

Jerome

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A Latin priest, confessor, theologian, and historian. He is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate.

Cardinal's hat, lion, crucifix, book.

St Joan

4th February

Joan

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Joan was the second daughter of Louis XI of France. Chose to become a nun rather than queen of France.

Holds a cross

St John Baptist

24th June

John Baptist

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A prophet and cousin of Jesus. He baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and is considered a forerunner of Christ.

Lamb, camel's hair garment, reed cross.

St John Evang

27th December

John Evang

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Saint John the Evangelist was one of the Twelve Apostles and the author of the Gospel of John. He is often depicted as the "Beloved Disciple" and is associated with deep theological insights.

Eagle, chalice with a serpent, book, youthful

St Joseph

17th March

Joseph

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Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a biblical figure mentioned in all four Gospels. He is known for providing his own tomb for the burial of Jesus and is associated with the legend of the Holy Grail.

Holy Grail, walking stick, tomb.

St Jude

28th October

Jude

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One of the Twelve Apostles, also known as Thaddeus. He is traditionally credited with writing the Epistle of Jude.

Boat, oar.

St Julian

12th February

Julian

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Saint Julian the Hospitaller was a nobleman who accidentally killed his parents and then dedicated his life to acts of penance and service. He is often depicted with a wheel, symbolizing his earlier torture.

Wheel, sword, book, oar

St Juliana

16th February

Juliana

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Saint Juliana of Nicomedia was an early Christian martyr. She is remembered for her steadfast faith and refusal to marry the Roman Emperor, leading to her martyrdom.

Palm, wheel, bundle of twigs

St Lawrence

10th August

Lawrence

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Saint Lawrence, a deacon in the early Christian Church, is associated with a gridiron. According to legend, he was martyred by being roasted alive on a gridiron. This emblem signifies his martyrdom.

Gridiron

St Leodgar

2nd October

Leodgar

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Saint Leodgar was a Frankish bishop who served as the Bishop of Autun. He was known for his piety and charitable works.

Episcopal vestments, book.

St Leonard

6th October

Leonard

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Saint Leonard of Noblac was a Frankish nobleman who became a hermit. He is venerated as the patron saint of prisoners and is often depicted with chains.

Chains, fetters, prisoners.

St Lucy

13th December

Lucy

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Saint Lucy is often depicted holding a plate with her eyes on it. According to tradition, Lucy's eyes were gouged out before her martyrdom, and the plate symbolizes this gruesome event.

Eyes on a plate, sword in neck

St Luke

18th October

Luke

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A physician and one of the Four Evangelists. Luke's Gospel emphasizes Jesus' compassion and mercy.

Ox, winged ox, paintbrush, palette.

St Margaret

20th July

Margaret

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A virgin martyr. According to legend, she was swallowed by a dragon but emerged unharmed when the cross she carried irritated the dragon's stomach.

Dragon, cross.

St Mark

25th April

Mark

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Mark was one of the four evangelists and traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was a companion of Saint Peter. Mark's Gospel, which begins with the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, a fitting image for the lion.

Winged Lion.

St Martha

29th July

Martha

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Saint Martha is a biblical figure, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. She is known for her hospitality and is often associated with the story of Jesus visiting her home.

Keys, ladle, dragon (ie. the devil).

St Martin of Tours

11th November

Martin of Tours

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Saint Martin of Tours was a bishop and a military officer. He is known for sharing his cloak with a beggar and later having a vision of Christ. He is one of the most popular saints in Western Christianity.

Bishop's attire, goose, horse, cloak.

St Mary Magdalene

22nd July

Mary Magdalene

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A disciple of Jesus and one of the few present at his crucifixion. She is often associated with repentance and is sometimes erroneously identified with a sinful woman in the Bible.

Ointment jar, long hair, crucifix, skull.

St Mary of Eqypt

2nd April

Mary of Eqypt

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Saint Mary of Egypt was a repentant prostitute who became a hermit in the desert. She is known for her extreme asceticism and is venerated for her profound repentance.

Naked, covered with hair, 3 loaves.

St Matthew

21st September

Matthew

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Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before becoming one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is traditionally credited with the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew.

Winged Man or Angel.

St Matthias

14th May

Matthias

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Saint Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot among the Twelve Apostles. He is venerated as a martyr for his apostolic ministry.

Lance, axe, book.

St Maurus

15th January

Maurus

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Became one of the first Benedictines in 528. By the late Middle Ages, the cult of Maurus, had spread to all Benedictine monasteries. Seymour is derived from Saint Maur.

Young man in garb of a monk

St Michael

29th September

Michael

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Saint Michael, the warrior archangel, is often portrayed with a sword, symbolizing his role as a defender of the faith. Sometimes, he is also shown with scales, representing his role in weighing souls during the Last Judgment.

Sword and Scales

St Nicholas

6th December

Nicholas

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Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was a bishop known for his generosity and miracles. He is a popular figure associated with gift-giving and is the patron saint of children and sailors.

Bishop's attire, mitre, crosier, three gold balls.

St Olave

29th July

Olave

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Saint Olave (Olaf) was a king of Norway who converted to Christianity and played a crucial role in the Christianization of Scandinavia.

Battle axe, cross.

St Pancras

12th May

Pancras

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Saint Pancras was an early Christian martyr who was executed for his faith during the Roman persecutions. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Palm of martyrdom, sword, crown.

St Paul

29th June

Paul

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Saint Paul is often portrayed with a sword, representing his martyrdom. According to tradition, Paul was beheaded in Rome, and the sword is a symbol of his manner of death.

Sword, balding

St Paul Hermit

15th January

Paul Hermit

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Saint Paul the Hermit, also known as Paul of Thebes, was one of the earliest Christian hermits. He is venerated for his ascetic lifestyle in the desert.

Palm frond, raven.

St Paul – Const

7th June

Paul – Const

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Saint Paul of Constantinople was a patriarch of Constantinople. He is venerated for his defense of Orthodoxy and his efforts to promote unity within the Church.

Bishop's attire, book.

St Peter

29th June

Peter

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Saint Peter is traditionally depicted holding a key, symbolizing the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. This is based on the biblical passage where Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 16:19).

Keys, elderly

St Peter Martyr

28th April

Peter Martyr

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Saint Peter Martyr was a Dominican friar and an inquisitor who was martyred for his opposition to heresy.

Wound on the head, knife.

St Petronilla

31st May

Petronilla

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Saint Petronilla is venerated as an early Christian virgin martyr. She is often depicted with flowers and keys.

Flower, keys.

St Philip

3rd May

Philip

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One of the Twelve Apostles. He is associated with the feeding of the 5,000.

Cross, basket of loaves.

St Quirinius

30th March

Quirinius

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Saint Quirinus was a Roman martyr and is venerated for his steadfast faith despite facing persecution.

Soldier's attire, spear.

St Roche

16th August

Roche

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Saint Roche, also known as Saint Rocco, was dedicated to caring for the sick during a plague outbreak. He himself contracted the plague but was miraculously healed.

Pilgrim's attire, staff, and an open wound on thigh

St Rumon

28th August

Rumon

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Rumon was a missionary, preacher and builder of churches and monasteries in the West Country, for part of his life—a hermit, and probably the Bishop of Crediton in Devon.

A crozier in left hand, a palm

St Sebastian

20th January

Sebastian

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Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr, is often depicted with arrows piercing his body. According to legend, he survived being shot with arrows and later succumbed to his injuries. The arrows symbolize his endurance and eventual martyrdom.

Arrows

St Sidwell

2nd August

Sidwell

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Little is known about Saint Sidwell, and there are various legends surrounding her life. She is venerated as a local saint in Exeter, England. She was said to have been murdered while working in the fields by a scythe.

Plough and scythe.

St Simon

28th October

Simon

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One of the Twelve Apostles, often referred to as Simon the Zealot. Little is known about his life.

Saw, oar, fish

St Stephen

26th December

Stephen

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Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons of the early Christian Church and the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death for his faith.

Stones, deacon's attire.

St Thecla

15th October

Thecla

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Saint Thecla was an early Christian convert and companion of Saint Paul. She is venerated for her dedication to the Christian faith.

Holy water, cross, lion.

St Thomas

3rd July

Thomas

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Thomas, also called Didymus, was one of the twelve apostles. According to tradition, he spread Christianity to India. Thomas is often associated with the phrase "Doubting Thomas" because he doubted the resurrection of Jesus until he saw and touched Jesus' wounds.

Spear or builder's square.

St Thomas Becket

29th December

Thomas Becket

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Saint Thomas Becket was the Archbishop of Canterbury and a martyr. He was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral for his opposition to King Henry II's interference in Church affairs.

Archbishop's attire, sword.

St Ursula

21st October

Ursula

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Saint Ursula was a Christian princess who, according to legend, was martyred along with a large number of companions. She is a patroness of students and educators.

Ship, arrow, palm, cloak of virgins

St Veronica

12th July

Veronica

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Saint Veronica is a figure associated with the Passion of Christ. According to tradition, she wiped Jesus' face on the way to Calvary, and his image was miraculously imprinted on her veil.

Veil with the image of Christ's face.

St Victor

21st July

Victor

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Saint Victor was a soldier and martyr in the Roman army. He is venerated for his steadfastness in the face of persecution.

Soldier's attire, sword.

St Vincent

22nd January

Vincent

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Saint Vincent of Saragossa was a deacon and martyr. He is one of the most famous martyrs of the early Church.

Gridiron, palm of martyrdom.

St William

8th June

William

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Saint William of York was an English archbishop. He is venerated for his piety and efforts to reform the Church.

Bishop's attire, pilgrim's staff.

St Winwaloe

3rd March

Winwaloe

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Saint Winwaloe was a Breton abbot and the founder of the Abbey of Landévennec. He is venerated for his monastic leadership and ascetic lifestyle.

Abbot's crosier, hermit's attire.

St Zita

27th April

Zita

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A domestic servant known for her piety and charity. She is the patron saint of maids and domestic workers.

Keys, serving tray.

St Urith

8th July

Urith

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A West Country saint from the 8th century. Her shrine is in Chittlehampton in Devon. She was beheaded with a scythe.

Scythe

St Anne

26th July

Anne

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Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary. She was an early cult saint and quite popular in medieval times.

A door, often wears red and green.

St Louis

25th August

Louis

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Commonly revered as Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 until his death in 1270.

Crown, spectre and other regalia

St Anthony of Padua

13th June

Anthony of Padua

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Noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick

Christ child, white lily

St Eligius

1st December

Eligius

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He was a Frankish goldsmith, courtier and bishop who was chief counsellor to Dagobert I around 635. A good deal of legend has gathered around the life of Eligius, who is still very popular with goldsmiths, farriers and car mechanics.

Anvil, bishop with crozier, pincers


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