who is your patron saint?

[Margaret S.]

My patron is Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, Apostle of Northumbria. One quiet night under the starry sky of the Scottish borders, I was out praying and his name came to me. I feel an affinity with him because through gentle means he converted my countrymen to Christ. As for the majority of my friends and family today, I'm the first orthodox christian they have ever known. I'm just a beginner, really, and need a good guide to keep me in the faith, and to share this with the world around me. With Aidan's help, I pray I can carry this responsibility with patience, love, faith and kindness.

wow, I was just wondering who Christianized Scotland.  there is a tradition in my parish of celebrating a Slava with the cultural patron saint of your family.  Serbs have St. Sava, Irish have St. Patrick.  my family is Scottish (among other things, Scottish surname) and we want the saint who made Scotland Orthodox. 

Trevor, the main apostle for Scotland is St. Columba of Iona. Aidan was sent from Iona to establish a Christian community in Northern England. His mission doesn't really cover Scotland, except perhaps the very southern border. Look to Iona Abbey.

You could choose one according to where in Scotland your ancestors hail from. If it’s the west coast or the islands then certainly St Columba or any of the monks of Iona. If Aberdeenshire then St Drostan. If Fife perhaps St Serf. If the south-west then St Ninian. If the Borders or any of that nebulous area between Berwick and Edinburgh (I love to annoy the locals by telling them we are part of the Kingdom of Northumbria) then St Cuthbert or St Dunstan. If Glasgow then St Kentigern. There women saints too - St Modwenna who founded nunneries on the great volcanic rocks that now support Edinburgh and Stirling castles. The Nine Daughters of St Donald. St Kentigerna (mother of St Finnan) associated with Loch Lomond. St Triduana or Tradwell whose holy well in Edinburgh was famous for healing the eyes (the remains of the shrine are still there). St Thenu, the mother of St Kentigern. Sts Fyndana and Fyndoca, Martyrs. Kinnera of Kirk-Kinner in Galloway. St Bey and St Maura, disciples of St Aidan, a solitary and an abbess. And St Kennotha of Kyle and St Kennocha of Fife.

Best wishes,
Sr Margaret

[Irish Hermit]

/\  Nice idea, Sister Margaret.

Here is an index of places in the British Isles associated with different Saints

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-archive/message/2934

[JimCBrooklyn]

I'm looking for one!

[Melodist]

I'm looking for one!

Pray.

There are a number of saints who are a "James" or "Jacob". You could also find commemorations on your birthday or anything else that may have significance for you. Ask God for guidance and seek the intercessions of different saints. It may take some time to hear the answer, but it will be there if you keep looking and listening.

That's what I did, and I thank God for what I was shown. I hope this helps you.

[CBGardner]

I just stick with my namesake, Saint Christopher.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Christopher

My first real connection with a saint was Saint Seraphim, but when I learned of Christopher I really connected with him. My mother said she named me Christopher because she knew it means 'bearer of Christ' and that she wanted me to keep close to God my whole life. I connect with the story of Christopher feeling weighed down in the middle of the river but having to stick it out to find out he bore that suffering for Christ. Also before his martyrdom he was tempted by lusty women and I struggle with that sin in particular so I ask for his intercession on the subject quite often.

[Irish Hermit]

Some of us have no choice in the matter.   

Monks and nuns are given no choice and will hear their new name for the first time during the rite of tonsuring.  It is chosen by their spiritual father/mother or by the abbess or abbot and is not divulged before the ceremony.

As your brother monks and sister nuns come up and congratulate you after the service it is a little game to ask the new person his name.  Many times the poor monk or nun is quite unable to remember the new name.   

I also remember when I baptized the person who is Aidan Hart the iconographer.  His Greek godfather exercised his right to name him at Baptism and he conferred the name of Saint Athanasios on him.   It was only later when Athanasios became a monk that his name was changed again to Aidan.

[Veniamin]

My personal patron is St. Veniamin of Petrograd



I chose him due to my Russian heritage and the fact that Veniamin is simply the Russian form of my given name, Benjamin.

My professional patron, however, is St. Barbara the Great-Martyr, as she is the traditional protectress of artillerymen.

[David Garner]

St. John the Apostle:

[Kasatkin fan]

St. Nicholas of Japan.

http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100419



I love Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese history, etc. (although I quite dislike Japanese comics and animation). I visited the country and fell in love, much as St. Nicholas did. I feel the draw between cultures quite strongly, as he did, so it felt like a natural choice.

Additionally, while researching saints to find a patron I could find only one who shared a name with me in the East (there are a few post-schism Catholic saints), and all that is known about him is his death in a saracean raid. I didn't feel I would be able to connect with his life, not knowing anything about it, so I looked further.

[maryofegypt]

St. Mary of Egypt.  She has always been an encouragement to me in many ways, the most important being if she could become holy, ANYONE can become holy (considering her early life).  God can truly transform. 

[HandmaidenofGod]

The Theotokos.

[Cognomen]

I'm looking for one!

Same here.  This process, along with selecting Icons to purchase, has cleared up any ambiguity about having neurotic tendencies.  

I'm praying on it.  I've been recommended two different patrons, but I believe the latter was more of a default option, rather than one I have any noticeable connection with.  Hopefully my patron saint will reveal himself to me in the near future, and I can post again in this forum with a better response.

[Ansgar]

Well since I am not orthodox yet, I will give you my country´s patron saint.
Our father among the saints, St Ansgar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Apostle of the North and enlightener of Denmark and Sweden.
You can read about him on Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansgar

P.S. I am sorry but I could not figure out how to upload an image of him.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

Tomorrow, April 8, is the commemoration of my Patron Saint: St. Gebre Menfes Kidus!

Here are some icons and little bit about his life (click on the pictures and you can read the captions below):

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=1456515775&aid=108984#!/

May his prayers be with us!


Selam

[orthonorm]

Well since I am not orthodox yet, I will give you my country´s patron saint.
Our father among the saints, St Ansgar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Apostle of the North and enlightener of Denmark and Sweden.
You can read about him on Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansgar

P.S. I am sorry but I could not figure out how to upload an image of him.

Good enough?

To use the tags to embed an image:

Code:

[img]imgageURL[/img]

In this case:

Code:

[img]http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/7206/scsansgar.jpg[/img]

[deusveritasest]

Trevor, the main apostle for Scotland is St. Columba of Iona. Aidan was sent from Iona to establish a Christian community in Northern England. His mission doesn't really cover Scotland, except perhaps the very southern border. Look to Iona Abbey.

Saint Ninian, however, was the first apostle to the Scots.

[Ansgar]

Thank you orthonorm

[orthonorm]

Thank you orthonorm

My Danish is bad, can only read it and understand it spoken after a while, if I listen hard.

In any case, det var så lidt.

[deusveritasest]

When I was baptized into the Eastern Orthodox Church I took Saint Cyril of Alexandria as my patron Saint.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

When I was baptized into the Eastern Orthodox Church I took Saint Cyril of Alexandria as my patron Saint.

Very appropriate!


Selam

[Ansgar]

Your danish is good
I know this is a litle out of topic but I am still new on this forum and there is one thing that I can´t seem to figure out.

My problem is that when I want to reply on a comment I cannot figure out how to place the comment in those boxes( sorry for the bad choice of words, my english is not too good )

I am hoping that I could get some help I am pretty lost.

[deusveritasest]

Your danish is good
I know this is a litle out of topic but I am still new on this forum and there is one thing that I can´t seem to figure out.

My problem is that when I want to reply on a comment I cannot figure out how to place the comment in those boxes( sorry for the bad choice of words, my english is not too good )

I am hoping that I could get some help I am pretty lost.

When you are viewing a post, do you see the button in the top right corner which says "Quote"?

[Ansgar]

Well since I am not orthodox yet, I will give you my country´s patron saint.
Our father among the saints, St Ansgar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Apostle of the North and enlightener of Denmark and Sweden.
You can read about him on Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansgar

P.S. I am sorry but I could not figure out how to upload an image of him.

Thank you 




Good enough?

To use the tags to embed an image:

Code:

[img]imgageURL[/img]

In this case:

Code:

[img]http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/7206/scsansgar.jpg[/img]

[Ansgar]

Your danish is good
I know this is a litle out of topic but I am still new on this forum and there is one thing that I can´t seem to figure out.

My problem is that when I want to reply on a comment I cannot figure out how to place the comment in those boxes( sorry for the bad choice of words, my english is not too good )

I am hoping that I could get some help I am pretty lost.

When you are viewing a post, do you see the button in the top right corner which says "Quote"?
[/qu

Thank you. I had not seen that

[Ansgar]

I think I am doing something wrong. I keep writing iside them

[deusveritasest]

I think I am doing something wrong. I keep writing iside them

Yeah. It would appear that you found the quote button because you got the boxes up. I looked at your post and noted that one of the quote tags got partially erased. When you quote a post and respond to it, you have to make sure that what you type comes completely before or completely after the quoted text.

[Ansgar]

I think I am doing something wrong. I keep writing iside them

Yeah. It would appear that you found the quote button because you got the boxes up. I looked at your post and noted that one of the quote tags got partially erased. When you quote a post and respond to it, you have to make sure that what you type comes completely before or completely after the quoted text.

Okay thank you. Now I might be able to get a little more involved in here

[deusveritasest]

I think I am doing something wrong. I keep writing iside them

Yeah. It would appear that you found the quote button because you got the boxes up. I looked at your post and noted that one of the quote tags got partially erased. When you quote a post and respond to it, you have to make sure that what you type comes completely before or completely after the quoted text.

Okay thank you. Now I might be able to get a little more involved in here

Awesome! 

[zekarja]

I chose the Old Testament prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah. My middle name is Zechariah.


Commemorated on February 8

      The Prophet Zechariah (Zakhariah) the Sickle-Seer from amongst the 12 Minor Prophets was descended from the Levite tribe, called in the Book of Nehemiah-Ezra the chief priestly lineage. He was called to prophetic service at a young age and became, in the wondrous expression of churchly song, "a spectator of supra-worldly visions". In particular within the Book of the Prophet Zechariah there is contained inspired details about the coming of the Messiah (6: 12); about the last days of the earthly life of the Saviour, and about the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem on a young donkey (9: 9); about the betrayal of the Lord for 30 pieces of silver and the purchase with them of the potter's field (11: 12-13); about the piercing of the side of the Saviour (12: 10); about the scattering of the apostles from the Garden of Gethsemane (13: 7); about the sun's eclipse at the time of the sufferings on the Cross of the Saviour (14: 6-7). "Enlightened by dawnings all above", the Prophet Zechariah "saw the future as the presently existing". According to tradition, this "most true God-proclaimer" lived to old age and was buried not far from Jerusalem, alongside his illustrious contemporary and companion the Prophet Haggai. The title "Sickle-Seer" given Zechariah is connected to one of the revelations to him, in which he saw a scroll flying in the air, curved to the likeness of a menacing sickle (5: 1-2).

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.


Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

[Ioannis Climacus]

St. John of the Ladder

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile
And by your longing for God you brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illuminated the whole universe.
O our holy Father John Climacus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.



Information available about his life is limited, but here is the Orthodox Wiki article : http://orthodoxwiki.org/John_Climacus

[akimori makoto]

I don't know who my patron is because my parents chose "John" and they wouldn't know the Forerunner from the Theologian.

Has anyone else faced this dilemma??

[biro]

I was born on May 1, and Marie is a traditional name in my mother's family, so I was named Donna Marie, "Lady Mary."



When I was confirmed in the RCC, I picked St. Joan of Arc.



When I am able to complete my conversion to Orthodoxy, I suppose I will have to pick a different saint. I have been thinking about different ones. When the time is right, I hope it'll be made clear. 

[Iconodule]

You could just go back to "Marie".

[biro]

Thank you, I may do that. 

[CBGardner]

He's not my patron saint but I recently read about Saint Mama's life in the Great Lives of the Saints (Chrysostom Press) and was very convicted. This young man's piety, strength, and love for God is inspiring and edifying. I suggest  to anyone who hasn't read his life to do so. I was in tears by the end of his account.

[Iconodule]

He's not my patron saint but I recently read about Saint Mama's life in the Great Lives of the Saints (Chrysostom Press) and was very convicted. This young man's piety, strength, and love for God is inspiring and edifying. I suggest  to anyone who hasn't read his life to do so. I was in tears by the end of his account.

I also love the life of Mamas. I was actually considering him as my patron saint (my birthday is his feast day) but I guess I thought the name would sound too silly 

Some other favorite lives of mine, in that same volume of the Great Collection, are St. Eustathius and St. John of Novgorod.

[biro]

Wow, riding a lion! 

[CBGardner]

He's not my patron saint but I recently read about Saint Mama's life in the Great Lives of the Saints (Chrysostom Press) and was very convicted. This young man's piety, strength, and love for God is inspiring and edifying. I suggest  to anyone who hasn't read his life to do so. I was in tears by the end of his account.

I also love the life of Mamas. I was actually considering him as my patron saint (my birthday is his feast day) but I guess I thought the name would sound too silly 

Some other favorite lives of mine, in that same volume of the Great Collection, are St. Eustathius and St. John of Novgorod.

I'd imagine considering not only its meaning to us but the original meaning, breast. 
I've only been through the first four or five days (St. John of Novgorod, or maybe Moses, was who I finished last) and I can't believe the impact those few days have had already! Plus outside of edification some of them are just awesome stories too. St. Symeon the Stylite was another great one.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

Here is St. Aba Samuel, a great Saint in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He rode a lion too!

Selam

[mabsoota]

saint matthias, coz i joined the orthodox church on his feast day.
i didn't know it at the time, i already had a connection with him and was using his picture to post on another forum,
then i realised here i had a special connection with his feast day.
i hope it's ok for a woman to have a male top saint!

for pic - see my avatar!

[vamrat]

My Patron Saint is St. Joseph since he is who I am named for (and also for my great-grandfather  ).  My birthday is also the birthday of the Theotokos, but since being named Mary would be inappropriate I guess St. Joseph is pretty appropriate as well!

Since I don't think one Patron Saint is enough, I have a few more.  St. John of Shanghai was the patron saint of my parent's house and I have kind of carried him with me as I have moved around.  I have also felt a particular closeness to St.s George and Nicholas, both of which are appropriate as well since I now go to St. Nicholas Church and the Church down in Kansas City that our Church ic close to is named St. George! 

My avatar is St. Olaf, King of Norway.  He is my friend's Patron Saint, but is another one I have liked for a while.  I have always like the Ikons of the Soldier Saints and this guy has an axe!  Traditionally it was an axe that killed St. Olaf at the Battle of Stiklestad.  He was one of the last Saints to be venerated by both the East and the West before the Schism.

[Arachne]

*pokes the thread, then administers CPR*

St Brigid of Ireland and, secondarily, St Benedict of Nursia.



They both sort of adopted me when I moved to the UK from Greece and no longer had behind me the spiritual support network I was used to. St Brigid connected early, through my capacity as a writer, and St Benedict after certain reading and viewing on the retreats at Worth Abbey.

[Eastern Mind]

When I officially become an Orthodox Christian someday (sooner rather than later, hopefully!), I want St. Moses to be my Patron. I pray to him quite a lot. Like many mentioned in this thread, I believe he chose me.

[Agabus]

When I officially become an Orthodox Christian someday (sooner rather than later, hopefully!), I want St. Moses to be my Patron. I pray to him quite a lot. Like many mentioned in this thread, I believe he chose me.

Name brothers!

I have the icon you posted above, but I think I am going to eventually mount this one:



It illustrates exactly the kind of repentance/humility I hope to one day manifest and currently fail to approach every day.

[Eastern Mind]

When I officially become an Orthodox Christian someday (sooner rather than later, hopefully!), I want St. Moses to be my Patron. I pray to him quite a lot. Like many mentioned in this thread, I believe he chose me.

Name brothers!

I have the icon you posted above, but I think I am going to eventually mount this one:



It illustrates exactly the kind of repentance/humility I hope to one day manifest and currently fail to approach every day.

I like that one!

His story is so inspiring, and it reminds me not to fall into despair when I sin.

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