Saints and Holy People

Find out about their lives and how they changed the world

Saint Florian (d. 304)

Saint Florian (d. 304)

Patron saint of chimney sweeps and firefighters and against drowning

Feast day: May 4




Saint Florian was an officer in the Roman army. A Christian, he kept his faith a secret for fear of persecution. Even though he kept it hidden, Florian’s faith was so strong that he saved an entire town from being burned by fervently praying and throwing a single bucket of water onto the flames. When he was ordered to execute a group of Christians as part of his duties as an officer, he refused. He not only refused, but he professed his own Christian faith as well and was martyred. 

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