Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Swithin
The following provides fast and concise facts and information:
- The patron of Weather
- Born c. 800 in Hampshire, England
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: 15th July
- Date of Death: Saint Swithin died in 2 July 862 in Winchester, Hampshire
- Cause of Death: Natural Causes
Who or what is Saint Swithin the patron saint of?
Saint Swithin is the patron of Weather. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.
The Story and History of Saint Swithin - Raining on Saint Swithin's Day
The words of the traditional rhyme reflect the 'old wive's tale' that if it rains on Saint Swithin's day then it will continue to rain for a further forty days. Saint Swithin, or Swithun, was born c800 and died AD862. He was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester in Hampshire, England and was originally buried, at his request, in a humble outside grave at Winchester. But the monks of Winchester wanted to move his remains to a magnificent shrine. Nine years later the shrine was built inside Winchester cathedral on 15 July 971. Legend tells that during the ceremony it started to rain and the rain continued for another forty days. The Shrine of St. Swithun, together with the tomb of Alfred the Great, in Winchester Cathedral made the Cathedral a principal place of pilgrimage in England. The shrine to Saint Swithin was destroyed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of King Henry VIII. The Saint Swithin's day rhyme is as follows:
St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day (15 July) if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.
Death of Saint Swithin
There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Swithin died in A.D. 862. Cause of Death: Natural Causes.
Why is Saint Swithin the patron of Weather?
Why is Saint Swithin is the patron of Weather? Because it rained for forty days when his dead remains were moved from his humble grave.
How Saint Swithin is represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Swithin in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Swithin is represented in Christian Art as a bishop holding a bridge with broken eggs at his feet.
Feast Day of Saint Swithin
The Feast Day of Saint Swithin is 15th July. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.
