- Memorial Day / Feast Day: January 21st
- Date of Death: Saint Agnes died in 304
- Cause of Death: Beheading
Who or what is Saint Agnes the patron saint of?
Saint Agnes is the patron of maidenhood. 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.
Prayer to Saint Agnes
St. Agnes, the patroness of maidenhood, is specially invoked by Roman women for the gifts of meekness and chastity. In Christian Art she is represented with a lamb by her side, because, according to the legend, when the Christians visited her shrine on a certain occasion they were rewarded with a vision of the saint, accompanied by a lamb whiter than the driven snow.
Death of Saint Agnes
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 Agnes died in 304. Cause of Death Beheading.
Why is Saint Agnes the patron of maidenhood?
Why is Saint Agnes is the patron of maidenhood? At the tender age of 12 Agnes was ordered to go to the Roman temple to Minerva to worship the Roman goddess and offer her virginity as sacrifice, in effect rape. She refused to turn against Christianity and was stabbed to death in the throat for her convictions and therefore martyred.
How Saint Agnes is represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Agnes 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 Agnes is represented in Christian Art with a lamb by her side.
Feast Day of Saint Agnes
The Feast Day of Saint Agnes is January 21st. 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.
