Monday 18 May 2020

Saints against the plague


Two saints whose aid was traditionally invoked against the plague were Saint Roch (or Rocco) and Saint Sebastian.
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.Saint Roch 43" - 1876
Saint Roch is said to have been born in Montpellier in the south of France in the 14th century. He went on a pilgrimage to Rome, where the plague broke out, and he healed many of the disease before catching it himself. He was first succoured by a dog, and recovered. He then returned to his native town, but he had been away so long that no-one recognised him and he was thrown into prison, where he died. Saint Roch is shown pointing to the plague-spot on his thigh, and holds a pilgrim's staff. He is accompanied by a dog.
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.File:Antonio Pollaiuolo 003 cropframe.JPG - Wikimedia Commons
Almost nothing is known for certain about Saint Sebastian. He is supposed to have been an early Christian martyr, who was shot with arrows during the persecution of the Emperor Diolcletian, though he recovered from this and was battered to death instead. He is portrayed as a scantily-clad young man full of arrows, tied to  dead tree. It is possible that his connection with the plague is that the arrows, and the fact the he recovered from them, symbolise the invisible arrows of the disease. He has of late become something of a Gay icon.
  
Here are Rocco and Sebastian together with Saint George, in an Italian Renaissance painting in the National Gallery in London.

.Saint Roch | Saints | National Gallery, London

I wonder if Saints Roch and Sebastian are suitable saints to be invoked for protection against the Corona virus? Or do we stand in need of new saints?

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