"founded by the Archbishop of Canterbury, St Dunstan, in 960 CE, and there are legends surrounding his connection with the village. Dunstan is supposed to have become an ironworker and run a small forge next to the church. The legend goes that he was confronted by the devil, either making offensive remarks, or disguised as a young woman. He then pinched the devil's nose with the tongs. The devil then fled to Tunbridge Wells and doused his burnt nose with the spring water. Some sources note that the story happened in Glastonbury rather than Mayfield, and that Dunstan may have"
"23 November. Similarly, Old Clem and Saint Dunstan, another blacksmith saint, said to have pulled off the devil’s nose with hot tongs, used to meet together on the same day at nearby Mayfield accompanied by blacksmiths, devils and morris dancing, but sadly this custom has fallen into abeyance. A local smith played Old Clem for the day and was pulled around in a cart collecting money and firing off his anvil. In Hastings St Clement and St Catherine (whose saint's day is 24 November) are pulled around on a cart in a procession from St Clement's Church, firing his anvil,"
"harmful spirits. A French legend that sprang up around the name of St. Romanus (; fl. 631 – 641 AD), the former chancellor of the Merovingian king Clotaire II who was made bishop of Rouen, relates how he delivered the country around Rouen from a monster called ""Gargouille"" or ""Goji"". La Gargouille is said to have been the typical dragon with bat-like wings, a long neck, and the ability to breathe fire from its mouth. Multiple versions of the story are given, either that St. Romanus subdued the creature with a crucifix, or he captured the creature with the help"
"Purgatory, which friends ascribed to his lengthy fasts. Prayer for the souls in Purgatory was the outstanding characteristic of his spirituality. Because of this Nicholas was proclaimed patron of the souls in Purgatory, in 1884 by Leo XIII. Towards the end of his life he became ill, suffering greatly, but still continued the mortifications that had been part of his holy life. Nicholas died on September 10, 1305. There are many tales and legends which relate to Nicholas. One says the devil once beat him with a stick, which was then displayed for years in his church. In another, Nicholas,"
"the mouth with hot water, in this way ... small worms are expelled."""" In Christianity, Saint Apollonia is the patron saint of toothache and other dental problems. She was an early Christian martyr who was persecuted for her beliefs in Alexandria during the Imperial Roman age. A mob struck her repeatedly in the face until all her teeth were smashed. She was threatened with being burned alive unless she renounced Christianity, but she instead chose to throw herself onto the fire. Supposedly, toothache sufferers who invoke her name will find relief. In the 15th century, priest-physician Andrew Boorde describes a"
"by the governor of Cappadocia and beaten, combed, and beheaded for not renouncing Christianity. Eventually becoming a popular saint in Medieval Europe and venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, the frequent depiction of St. Blaise in iconography with the iron combs of his martyrdom led to his adoption as the patron saint of wool combers in particular and the wool trade in general. St. Antonius of Beba, a martyr venerated in the Coptic Orthodox Church, was also tortured with iron combs before being beheaded. St. Hilaria, another Coptic martyr, survived torture by combing and other sadistic methods before"
"saint of Nice. Bassus of Nice Saint Bassus of Nice (d. 250/251) is a 3rd-century Roman Catholic saint and martyr, traditionally the earliest named bishop of Nice. He was active on the Côte d'Azur, and was martyred for his faith under the Emperor Decius by being burned with red-hot blades and pierced from head to feet by two large ship-building nails, one through each foot. He is venerated as a saint. His feast day is 5 December. He is the patron saint of Cupra Marittima in Italy, where his body was taken after his death, and since 1922 or 1923"
"Denis Saint Denis was a legendary 3rd-century Christian martyr and saint. According to his hagiographies, he was bishop of Paris in the third century and, together with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, was martyred for his faith by decapitation. Some accounts placed this during Domitian's persecution and identified StDenis of Paris with the Areopagite who was converted by StPaul and who served as the first bishop of Athens. Assuming Denis's historicity, it is now considered more likely that he suffered under the persecution of the emperor Decius shortly after 250. Denis is the most famous cephalophore in Christian legend, with"
"him to renounce his confession to show his loyalty towards the Roman emperor. As Hermias refused vigorously, he was sent to be tortured. His tormentors broke his jaws, and then tore off the skin of his face. He was then thrown in a burning furnace, from which he left unscathed after three days. Sebastian then decided to resort to a sorcerer Marus, who concocted a strong poison with the intention of killing the Saint. Hermias blessed the poison with the sign of the cross and drank it with no harm. Having seen Saint Hermias drink with no effect a second"
"Bassus of Nice Saint Bassus of Nice (d. 250/251) is a 3rd-century Roman Catholic saint and martyr, traditionally the earliest named bishop of Nice. He was active on the Côte d'Azur, and was martyred for his faith under the Emperor Decius by being burned with red-hot blades and pierced from head to feet by two large ship-building nails, one through each foot. He is venerated as a saint. His feast day is 5 December. He is the patron saint of Cupra Marittima in Italy, where his body was taken after his death, and since 1922 or 1923 the second patron"
"Stephaton Stephaton, or Steven, is the name given in medieval Christian traditions to the Roman soldier, unnamed in the Bible, who offered Jesus a sponge soaked in vinegar wine at the Crucifixion. In later depictions of the Crucifixion, Stephaton is frequently portrayed with Longinus, the name given to the soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a spear. The account of Jesus receiving a sponge soaked in vinegar while on the cross appears in all four of the canonical gospels, with some variation. In both and , just after Jesus says ""My God, my God, why have you forsaken me"", a"
"I was possessed by an evil spirit, resulting in his tearing at his own face, and biting his hands and arms. The emperor ordered that the nobleman be taken to Pope John XIII, with instructions that the Chains of Saint Peter be placed upon him, and so cure him. According to the legend, John placed several chains on the afflicted man, each of which were copies, but to no effect. However, when John placed the true chain of Saint Peter on him, a thick smoke issued from the nobleman’s body, cries were heard in the air, and the evil spirit"
"during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. The traditional account goes on to say Antipas was martyred during the reign of Nero (54-68), by burning in a brazen bull-shaped altar for casting out demons worshiped by the local population. There is a tradition of oil (""manna of the saints"") being secreted from the relics of Saint Antipas. Saint Antipas is invoked for relief from toothache, and diseases of the teeth. On the calendars of Eastern Christianity, the feast day of Antipas is April 11. Antipas of Pergamum Many Christian traditions, according to the Commentary on the Apocalypse of Andreas"
"Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas of Myra (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343), also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of the ancient Greek city of Myra in Asia Minor (modern-day Demre, Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. He is revered by many Christians as a saint. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. His reputation evolved among the"
"he was asked to re-shoe the Devil's cloven hoof. This caused the Devil great pain, and Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after he promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is over the door. This is claimed as the origin of the lucky horseshoe. The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Communion mark his feast day on 19 May. At various passages in ""The Deptford Trilogy"" by the Canadian writer Robertson Davies, the character Dunstan Ramsay is compared with the saint of the same name, and in particular"
"in French cathedrals during this time. The National Library of the Netherlands has a collection of images pertaining to Saint Theophilus. Theophilus of Adana Saint Theophilus the Penitent or Theophilus of Adana (died 538 AD) was a cleric in the sixth century Church who is said to have made a deal with the Devil to gain an ecclesiastical position. His story is significant as it is the oldest story of a pact with the devil and was an inspiration for the Faust legend. His feast day is February 4. Eutychianus of Adana, who claimed to be an eyewitness of the"
"trade in general. He may also be depicted with crossed candles. Such crossed candles are used for the blessing of throats on his feast day, which falls on 3 February, the day after Candlemas on the General Roman Calendar. Blaise is traditionally believed to intercede in cases of throat illnesses, especially for fish-bones stuck in the throat. Saint Blaise Blaise (; ; also known as Saint Blase), was a physician, and bishop of Sebastea in historical Armenia (modern Sivas, Turkey). According to the ""Acta Sanctorum"", he was martyred by being beaten, attacked with iron combs, and beheaded. He is the"
"one of the figures on the cross appears to be that of a bishop, perhaps St. Tola. His feast day is celebrated on 30 March. St. Tola was the patron saint of ""toothaches"", The cross had a portion that could be taken out and was placed near the tooth in order to assist in healing. In the year 1034, Coirten Ua Maebuain, Lord of Dealbhna, was killed by some of his clansmen, on the threshold of Disert Tola church. In punishment for this sacrilegious and unnatural murder, the perpetrator of the crime was killed the very same hour he perpetrated"
"Holy Lance The Holy Lance, also known as the Lance of Longinus (named after Saint Longinus), the Spear of Destiny, or the Holy Spear, according to the Gospel of John, is the lance that pierced the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross. The lance (Greek: λόγχη, lonkhē) is mentioned in the ""Gospel of John"" (), but not the Synoptic Gospels. The gospel states that the Romans planned to break Jesus' legs, a practice known as ""crurifragium"", which was a method of hastening death during a crucifixion. Just before they did so, they realized that Jesus was already"
"the curing of the madness of Antoninus Pius' daughter Agnes, which is described in a 9th century ""Passio Sancti Potiti"". He refused to renounce Christianity and so was thrown to the lions, but they refused to attack and so he was instead thrown into boiling oil, but emerged unharmed. He was therefore beheaded. He is the main patron saint of Tricarico and its diocese and his main relics are sited in its cathedral. His cult spread widely during the Middle Ages, reaching Capua, Naples and Benevento. He is thus also the main patron saint of the town of Ascoli Satriano"
"was known as Saint Anthony's fire, or ""ignis sacer"", and some historical events, such as the Great Fear in France during the Revolution have been linked to ergot poisoning. St. Anthony was a 3rd century Egyptian ascetic who lived by the Red Sea and was known for long fasting in which he confronted terrible visions and temptations sent from the Devil. His name was taken by an Order of Hospitalers founded in 1095 AD by a wealthy Frenchman who, whilst praying for his ill son, received a vision of St. Anthony asking that he dedicate his life to healing the"
"place with seven nails, seven being the luckiest number. The superstition acquired a further Christian twist due to a legend surrounding the 10th century saint Dunstan, who worked as a blacksmith before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury. The legend recounts that, one day, the Devil walked into Dunstan's shop and asked him to shoe his horse. Dunstan pretended not to recognize him, and agreed to the request; but rather than nailing the shoe to the horse's hoof, he nailed it to the Devil's own foot, causing him great pain. Dunstan eventually agreed to remove the shoe, but only after extracting a"
"(Stephaton's occurs before Jesus' death, Longinus' occurred after.) This is also seen in Irish art Colum Hourihane and others suggest the images should not be read as a simple narrative, but rather a mix of symbolism and representation typical of medieval art. Stephaton Stephaton, or Steven, is the name given in medieval Christian traditions to the Roman soldier, unnamed in the Bible, who offered Jesus a sponge soaked in vinegar wine at the Crucifixion. In later depictions of the Crucifixion, Stephaton is frequently portrayed with Longinus, the name given to the soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a spear. The"
"Saint George Saint George (, ""Geṓrgios""; ; d. 23 April 303) was a Roman soldier of Greek origin and a member of the Praetorian Guard for Roman emperor Diocletian, who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He became one of the most venerated saints and megalo-martyrs in Christianity, and was especially venerated by the Crusaders. In hagiography, as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and one of the most prominent military saints, he is immortalised in the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. His memorial, Saint George's Day, is traditionally celebrated on 23 April."
"Saint George Saint George (, ""Geṓrgios""; ; d. 23 April 303) was a Roman soldier of Greek origin and a member of the Praetorian Guard for Roman emperor Diocletian, who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He became one of the most venerated saints and megalo-martyrs in Christianity, and was especially venerated by the Crusaders. In hagiography, as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and one of the most prominent military saints, he is immortalised in the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. His memorial, Saint George's Day, is traditionally celebrated on 23 April."
"Redemptus was shot with arrows, then his throat was slit Father Denis, a crucifix in his hands, received a fatal blow to the head from a scimitar. Of the sixty-some members of the diplomatic mission, only Castro, the ambassador, survived. He was held captive for three years, until his family paid a large ransom for his life. Denis of the Nativity was beatified on 10 June 1900 by Pope Leo XIII, together with his companion, Redemptus of the Cross. Their feast day in the Calendar of Saints of the Order is celebrated on the 29 November. Denis of the Nativity"
"Saint Faith Saint Faith or Saint Faith of Conques (Latin: Sancta Fides; French: Sainte-Foy; Spanish: Santa Fe) is a saint who is said to have been a girl or young woman of Agen in Aquitaine. Her legend recounts how she was arrested during persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire and refused to make pagan sacrifices even under torture. Saint Faith was tortured to death with a red-hot brazier. Her death is sometimes said to have occurred in the year 287 or 290, sometimes in the large-scale persecution under Diocletian beginning in 303. She is listed as Sainte Foy, ""Virgin"
"not make her sweat even a drop"". So Almachius sent for one of his men to slay her and kill her. The executioner struck her thrice in her neck, and no more because it was against the law, yet she still did not die. Cecilia stayed like that, half-dead, with her neck cut open for three days, preaching and converting those who gathered around her. She finally died after the third day, and after she died, Pope Urban buried her body with the other saints and decreed her as Saint Cecilia. Throughout the story, the importance of chastity is first"
"feast on 18 May. Venantius of Camerino Venantius of Camerino (, also known as Saint Wigand) (died 18 May 251 or 253) is the patron saint of Camerino, Italy and Raiano, Italy. Christian tradition holds that he was a 15-year-old who was tortured, and martyred by decapitation at Camerino during the persecutions of Decius. Martyred with him were 10 other Christians, including the priest Porphyrius, Venantius' tutor; and Leontius, bishop of Camerino. Before Venantius was killed, he was scourged, burned with flaming torches, hanged upside-down over a fire, had his teeth knocked out and his jaw broken, thrown to the"
"portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription """""""" meaning ""Who is like God?"". Catholic saints have written about the power of holy water as a force that repels evil. Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of holy water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil and temptations. Spanish soldiers, especially Carlist units, wore a patch with an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the inscription"
"slaying a wyvern. According to the Golden Legend, compiled by the Italian Jacobus de Voragine, Saint Margaret the Virgin was swallowed by Satan in the shape of a hydra, from whence she escaped alive when the cross she carried irritated the hydra's innards. The Golden Legend, in an atypical moment of scepticism, describes this last incident as ""apocryphal and not to be taken seriously"" (trans. Ryan, 1.369), which did not prevent the legend from being popular and getting artistic treatments. More prevalent are the legends about dragons in Italy, particularly in Umbria. One of the most famous wyverns of Italian"
"satanic names and language again. Abaskhiron took the poison, made the sign of the cross over it, and drank it in the name of Jesus of Nazareth while the sorcerer was calling on Satin, no harm came upon Abaskhiron. The sorcerer marveled, and he believed in the God of Abaskhiron. The Governor cut off the head of the sorcerer, and he received the crown of martyrdom. The Governor became more enraged and tortured Abaskhiron extensively throwing him in the furnace and blinding his eyes, but the Lord sent his Archangel Michael, who drew his wings over the Saints eyes and"
"Gerardo dei Tintori Saint Gerardo dei Tintori or Tintore (1134(?) – 6 June 1207) is a saint of the Catholic Church, joint patron saint (with Saint John the Baptist) of Monza in Italy, where he is particularly noted as the founder of a hospital. Gerardo's year of birth is not known with certainty: according to the Monza historian Bartolomeo Zucchi, it was 1134. The name ""Tintore"" or ""dei Tintori"" () means ""dyer"" or ""of the dyers"" and very probably refers to the occupation of his ancestors. His family was wealthy but not noble. After the death of his father, Gerardo"