In the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglicanism churches, patron saints are often regarded as heavenly advocates and protectors of countries, cities, and towns; for trade guilds and professions; and for people with particular needs. Many of these patrons gain their designation centuries ago and others are chosen more recently, but in any case the purpose remains to honor and pray for someone or something that is a good example to follow.

 

The concept of patron saints dates back to the earliest days of Christianity when bishops dedicated new churches on the sites of martyrs' graves, such as St. Peter and Paul-Outside-the-Walls, as well as basilicas in the names of other saints. This custom eventually spread to all Christian regions. Visit this site: patronsaintmedals.com to learn more on the history of saint patronage.

 

Churches have been designated to saints in various ways, including because they had preached the gospel in that place or because of some connection with that saint's relics. For instance, in the United States, immigrants sometimes chose the saints from their native lands as patrons of churches in the new country, especially those who had died in those places.

 

These saints, whose lives were marked by virtue and heroism, were given special protection and intercession. They were also honored as guides in prayer and sacrifice, in a way that differed from the general practice of addressing God directly for specific problems or requests.

 

During the Middle Ages, patronage of saints also became widespread as a result of the building of churches over the tombs of martyrs and their relics. In fact, the very name "patron" comes from the Latin word for "protector."

 

For example, a priest who was responsible for building a church may have asked his patron saint to protect it. He would have prayed that the saint's prayers be directed to the church and to its members.

 

Other patron saints became associated with particular medical disorders, often as a result of their method of martyrdom. For example, breast cancer became associated with St. Agatha, who was martyred by double mastectomy.

 

Patron saints have been a source of hope for patients in the absence of effective treatments and as role models for physicians who lack resources. In addition, some have helped to pioneer deformity-correction surgery and are associated with trauma or orthopaedic conditions.

 

There are hundreds of patron saint medals, and each has a different role in prayer and sacrifice. Among them are those who are honored as protectors of nations, cities and towns; for trade guilds and professions; for people with particular needs; and to guide those in a particular line of work.

 

For some reason, the idea of honoring and praising saints who have overseen a certain geographical area or asked them to protect those in certain trades sounds remarkably like the concept of patron deities in the Roman Empire. In those days, every craft had its own patron.

 

In the high Middle Ages, a great many towns were named after saints. For instance, in Dublin, Ireland, the parishes under the patronage of All Hallows, Macud (Kilmacud), Machonna, Fintan, Brendan (Carrickbrenan), Kevin, McTail, and Nicholas within and without the walls were all well-known. Click here for more details about this service: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_necklace.