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St. Christopher

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St. Christopher is one of the most widely-venerated saints, as being the patron of travel and transportation, is often included in prayers and on icons, necklaces, and pocket charms by the faithful while traveling. Christopher was a large, and apparently ugly man - for this reason he is often portrayed as an ogre or having the head of a dog. When he became Christian, he wanted to use his size and strength to serve those in need. Christopher took to carrying travelers across a dangerous river, which he could safely traverse because he was so tall and strong. According to legend, one such traveler, upon reaching the other shore, revealed himself to be a young Jesus.  Christopher is venerated as one of the 14 holy helpers . Lifetime:  ?? to 251 Region:  Roman Empire Patronages:  Transportation & travel; Athletics; Bachelors; Toothache Iconograpy:  Carrying Christ child; Tree branch; Dog head Feast Day:  May 9 (Eastern); July 25 (Western)
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St. Monica of Hippo

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St. Monica was the mother of St. Augustine. Though she was a devout Christian, she was arranged in marriage to a pagan with a violent temper who would not let her baptize their children. Monica lived for decades praying for her husband and children's souls, and eventually her prayerful dedication led to her husband's conversion shortly before his death. She later befriended St. Ambrose , who was instrumental in her son Augustine's highly influential conversion. Lifetime:  331 to 387 Region:  Western Roman Empire Patronages:  Disappointing children; Conversion of relatives; Difficult marriages Iconograpy:  Lamentation scroll; Accompanying St. Augustine; Widow's weaves (black mourning clothes) Feast Day:  May 4 (Eastern, Anglican); August 27 (Roman Catholic)
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St. Assicus of Elphin

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St. Assicus was the first bishop of Elphin, Ireland, and was a person friend of St. Patrick . Before his conversion by Patrick, Assicus was a metalworker, especially in copper and brass, and likely continued his craft after converting to Christianity, crafting gold chalices and patens and even brass bells for use in the churches. After his death, his successors founded a school of art in his name, and many of the pieces they produced are well-known to this day. Lifetime:  400s Region:  Ireland Patronages:  Metalworkers; Elphin, Ireland Iconograpy:  Bishop's vestments; Metalworking hammer Feast Day:  April 27
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St. Magnus of Orkney

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St. Magnus of Orkney was an earl by birth, but found that his Christian values were not appreciated by the Viking culture of his birth. He wouldn't participate in raids, instead remaining on the ship and singing psalms, and when he and his cousin got into dispute over who should rule, Magnus negotiated peace, but his cousin betrayed him, coming in with an army at the arranged meeting. After Magnus prayed for the souls of his treacherous cousin and his executioners, he was martyred by being struck in the head on Easter Sunday. Lifetime:  1080 to 1117 Region:  Norway Patronages:  Orkney, Vikings Iconograpy:  Axe; Viking attire Feast Day:  April 16
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St. Benjamin the Deacon and Martyr

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As his name implies, St. Benjamin was a deacon. He lived during a period of persecution against Christians and after refusing to be silent about his faith, was tortured by having sharpened reeds stuck under his finger and toe nails, before eventually being brutally martyred. Lifetime:  329 to 424 Region:  Persia (modern Iran) Patronages:  Deacons; Preachers; Good fortune Iconograpy:  Diaconate vestments; Censer; Jerusalem box Feast Day:  March 31
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Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

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Along with Agatha , Lucy , Agnes, Cecilia , and Anastasia , Saints Perpetua and Felicity are women saints mentioned during the Eucharistic prayer in the Roman Canon. Both Perpetua and Felicity were catechumens when they were arrested for their faith - Perpetua with a nursing baby, and Felicity about to give birth. Shortly after Felicity gave birth to her daughter, Perpetua and Felicity were beheaded in the public amphitheater. Their children were raised by other Christians in Carthage. Lifetime:  182 to 203 Region:  Carthage (modern Tunisia) Patronages:  Mothers; Ranchers; Butchers Iconograpy:  Two close women; Wearing red and/or white Feast Day:  March 7 (Western); February 1 (Eastern)
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St. Polycarp of Smyrna

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St. Polycarp was a disciple of St. John the Apostle and was appointed the bishop of Smyrna by that same Disciple Whom Jesus Loved. Polycarp was martyred after he refused to burn incense to the Roman emperor; first he was burned at the stake, but after surviving untouched by the flames, he was impaled with a spear. Upon his imminent death, Polycarp said, "I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ." Lifetime:  69 to 155 Region:  Smyrna (Modern Turkey) Patronages:  Earache sufferers; Dysentery Iconograpy:  Epistle to the Philippians; Surrounded by flames but unburnt; Pallium Feast Day:  February 23
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