One of the Fathers of the eastern church, and one of the church's greatest poets. Saint John was born into a Christian family that was greatly repected by the Islamic rulers of Damascus. John achieved high office in Damasacus, and was able to minister and assist Christian captives brought to Damascus by Saracens. He may have been martyred during the persecution of Christians by Khalif Ahlid II around 770 AD.

Patron Saint of Bakers, Pawnbrokers, Scholars, Fishermen, Boatman, Dock Workers, Sailors, Coopers, Brewers, Travelers, Pilgrims, those who have unjustly lost a lawsuit, Russia, Greece, Sicily, Apulia, and Loraine. Invoked against robbers.

Saint Nicholas was a Bishop of Myra who was know for making gifts to the poor. In Holland his feastday is celebrated as the beginning of the Christmas season.

Patron Saint of Learning, Protector of Bees and Domestic Animals.

As Bishop of Milan, Ambrose surrendered his personal wealth, and all the wealth of his church to ransom hostages from the invading Goths. He believed the church should use its wealth to aid the unfortunate.

Pope from 366 to 384 AD. Saint Damasus commisioned Saint Jerome to translate the scriptures into the Vulgate. In doing so, he established Latin, not Greek, as the dominate language of Christian literature.

Patron Saint of the Blind. Invoked against eye trouble, dysentery, and hemorrhages.

She was martyred during Roman Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians in 303 AD. There are several legends about her tortures and martyrdom. One legend states that the Emperor had her eyes plucked out, and they were miraculously restored. In another, the Romans tried to burn her at the stake but she would not die.

Doctor of the Church. This son of a poor Spanish weaver joined the Carmelite Order, where he befriended Saint Teresa of Avila. Together they worked to reform the order.

Doctor of the Church. Saint Peter Cansisius wrote the first Catechism for the Catholic Church in 1555 AD. He was also a delegate at the council of Trent, and a reformer of German Universities. He was known as the Second Apostle of Germany.

Professor of Sacred Scripture at the University of Krakow. He is invoked to assist those who are fired from their jobs. He, himself, was unjustly fired from his position at the university. Eight years later, he returned and was exonerated.

Patron Saint of horses.

First Martyr of the Christian Church. Saint Stephen's martyrdom is described in the Book of Acts. Anti-Christian Jews in Jerusalem stoned him. His last words were a prayer for his attackers, "Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do."

On St. Stephan's Day in Poland rice is tossed as a blessing, and to symbolize the stoning. He is also the Patron Saint of Horses, and in Austria it is customary to bless horses on this day.

Patron Saint of Asia Minor.

One of the original 12 Apostles of Christ. He was the only one of the twelve that did not abandon Christ at his crucifixion. While Jesus was dying on the cross, he made John the guardian of his mother, the Virgin Mary. John wrote the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the book of Revelation. He died of old age at Ephesus in the year 100 AD.

Sir Thomas Becket was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II of England. Thomas annoyed the King by taking the Roman Catholic Church's side in disputes with the English King. In 1170, four of the King's knights murdered him in Canterbury Cathedral.