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Thomas More was a lawyer and judge, as well as the Lord High Chancellor under king Henry VIII before the protestant reformation. However, his success as a politician would come at odds with his faith when the Church of England separated from the Catholic Church and appointed the King of England as its supreme head. More refused to swear allegiance to the king as the head of the church, and for this he was convicted of treason and beheaded. Up until his death, More wrote against the reformation. Just before he was killed, he kissed his executioner and forgave him. Lifetime:  1478 to 1535 Region:  London, England Patronages:  Lawyers; Adopted children; Politicians; Difficult marriages Iconograpy:  Fur hood; Robe; Quill pen; Chain of office Feast Day:  June 22

St. Marina's mother died when she was young, and in his mourning, her father decided to give all he had to the poor, marry off Marina, and become a monk. Marina didn't want this and convinced her father to let her join the monastery with him as a man, calling herself Marino. Nobody in the monastery knew that their new brother was actually a woman, and Marino developed a reputation for extreme piety, humility, and holiness. However, one day Marino and some of the other monks were sent on a trip, during which Marino was accused of fathering the child of an innkeeper's daughter. Though this was obviously impossible, the monk chose to accept exile as punishment rather than reveal herself as a woman. When the child was born, she adopted him and raised him as her own, feeding the baby with sheep milk. Eventually Marino and the child were accepted back into the monastery. The child became a monk himself, and Marino lived there until he died, whereupon his brothers finally learned ...

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)

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)

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

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

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