Codice prodotto: L10339
Memorial Day: September 22
When did Saint Maurice live: 3rd century AD
BIOGRAPHY:
Saint Maurice, a military leader from Egypt, lived in the 3rd century AD. He was born in Thebes and commanded the Theban Legion, a unit of about 1,000 Christian soldiers in the Roman army. The legion was sent to Gaul to suppress a rebellion. When Emperor Maximian ordered them to sacrifice to the Roman gods and persecute Christians, Maurice and his men refused out of faith. In response, the emperor ordered the decimation of the legion, killing one in ten soldiers. Since the survivors remained steadfast, the decimation was repeated until the entire legion was executed. The martyrdom took place in Agaunum, now Saint-Maurice in the Swiss canton of Valais. The veneration of St. Maurice began in the early Middle Ages.
PATRONAGE:
St. Maurice is the patron saint of soldiers, especially infantrymen, as well as armorers and blacksmiths. He is also the patron saint of the canton of Valais in Switzerland, the city of Magdeburg in Germany, the House of Savoy, and the Swiss Guard.
SYMBOLISM, DEPICTION:
The symbols of San Maurice are the lance and the shield, which represent his military rank and his martyrdom.
PATRON SAINT OF:
Mauritius, Moritz, Mauritz, Moric, Moriz, Maurus, Maurin, Mauro, Maus, Maurizio, Mo, Moe, Maurice.