st.Stephen

(Revered as the first martyr, and the most famous deacon in the early Christian Church)

Patronage: bricklayers; deacons; stonemasons

Name meaning: “Crown”

Also known as: Stephen the Deacon

Little is known of Stephen’s early life and conversion. His name is Greek, but he is believed to have been of Jewish origin. Kelil, the Aramaic equivalent of Stephen, is inscribed upon his tomb, found in 415. He is mentioned in Acts 6:5 as one of seven deacons chosen by the apostles to help look after widows and the poor.

st.Paul

(Apostle to the Gentiles, mystic, martyr, theologian and missionary)

Patronage: public relations; against snakebites; tentmakers

Name meaning: “Little”

One of the most influential figures in the establishment of the Christian religion. Paul’s conversion to Christianity resulted from a profound mystical experience. The Acts of the Apostles (generally ascribed to St. Luke, a close companion of Paul) and his own letters form two sources from which the facts and chronology of his life can be constructed.

st.Luke the Evangelist

(Author of the third gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles)

Patronage: art guilds; art schools; artists; bookbinders; brewers; butchers; butlers; doctors; glass makers; goldsmiths; lacemakers; notaries; painters; physicians; sculptors; stained-glass workers; surgeons

Name meaning: Bringer of light

Also known as: Luca; Lucas; Lucanus; Luke the Apostle

Luke is mentioned often in the Holy Scriptures, and himself authored two of its longest books. He was from Antioch, of Greek descent, perhaps a slave. He was one of the earliest converts to Christianity following Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

st.Nicodemus

(Defender of Jesus)

Nicodemus is mentioned in the Gospel of John as a Pharisee and member of the ruling Sanhedrin. In John 7:50–51, he advocates giving Jesus a fair hearing while others seek to immediately condemn him. In John 19:39 he attends to the burial of Jesus’ body with Joseph of Arimathea, providing about 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes. Nicodemus is mentioned in apocryphal writings, including the Acts of Pilate.

st.Raphael the Archangel

(One of the principal angels in Judeo-Christian angelologies, accorded the rank of archangel)

Patronage: the blind; happy meetings; nurses; physicians; travelers

Name meaning: “The shining one who heals,” “God heals,” or “the medicine of God” in Hebrew

Raphael’s name originates from the Hebrew “rapha,” which means healer or doctor. He is entrusted with the physical well-being of the earth and its human inhabitants, and is said to be the friendliest of the angels. Raphael has numerous titles and duties. He is counted among the seven angels who stand before God as mentioned in Revelation.