Fast, concise facts and information about Saint John Nepomuk The following provides fast and concise facts and information: - The patron of Silence and Floods
- Born: c1354 Nepomuk in Bohemia (the Czech Republic)
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: May 16th
- Date of Death: Saint John Nepomuk died in A.D. 1393
- Cause of Death: Martyred by drowning
Who or what is Saint John Nepomuk the patron saint of? Saint John Nepomuk is the patron of Silence and Floods. 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 John Nepomuk The story and history of Saint John Nepomuk. He was born c1354 in the small town of Nepomuk in Bohemia (the Czech Republic) to a wealthy Christian family. He was sent to study Theology and Canon Law at the Universities of Prague and Padua. He was well connected with the wealthy nobility and in In 1393 he was made the vicar-general which brought him into close contact with royalty. The ruling monarch was the Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor (aka Wenceslas) who was also the King of Bohemia (February 26, 1361 – August 16, 1419). Saint John Nepomuk became the confessor of the the fourth wife of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor. The name of the Empress was Elizabeth of Pomerania (1347–1393). Rather than reveal the confession of the Empress, at the command of the Emperor Charles IV, he allowed himself to be cast into the river Moldau from the bridge at Prague and died by drowning on March 20, 1393. Death of Saint John Nepomuk 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 John Nepomuk died in A.D. 1393. Cause of Death: Martyred by drowning. Why is Saint John Nepomuk the patron of Silence and Floods? Why is Saint John Nepomuk is the patron of Silence and Floods? Because rather than reveal the confession of the Empress at the command of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV he allowed himself to be cast into the river Moldau from the bridge at Prague How Saint John Nepomuk is represented in Christian Art It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint John Nepomuk 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 John Nepomuk is represented in Christian Art with a padlock on his mouth, in token of silence.
Feast Day of Saint John Nepomuk The Feast Day of Saint John Nepomuk is May 16th. 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. |