Patron Saints of Drivers and Pilots
Look on the dashboard of a Russian, Greek or Serbian car and you will usually find St Nicholas, often beside the Saviour and the Mother of God. Drivers pray to him before a long road and thank him on arrival. St Christopher, who carried the Christ child across the river, is the drivers’ saint for Catholics and is also venerated in the Orthodox Church. Truckers, commuters and pilots keep both, with the Guardian Angel who rides along, and the Archangel Michael, asked to deliver us from fear. A small icon and a cross on the mirror are how an Orthodox driver sets out.
The saints the Church turns to
St Nicholas the Wonderworker
Asked for a safe journey, a safe return, and quick help in trouble.
6 December (19 December on the Old Calendar); 9 May (22 May on the Old Calendar).
St Christopher
Asked for safe journeys and protection on the road; the drivers’ medal is chiefly Western and popular among Greeks.
9 May (22 May on the Old Calendar).
The Guardian Angel
Asked to keep us “in all thy ways.”
8 November (21 November on the Old Calendar).
The Archangel Michael
Asked for protection from every danger and deliverance from fear.
8 November (21 November on the Old Calendar).
In our shop
St Nicholas the Wonderworker & Guardian Angelfolding diptych.$69
Christ Pantocrator & Our Lady of Kazantravel diptych: the Saviour and the Mother of God for the dashboard.$69
Wooden Orthodox cross, 10 cm (4 in)$29
St Michael the Archangel medallionstainless steel, silver-tone.$49
- St Christopher icon (coming soon)
How Orthodox Christians pray for this
A new car is taken to the priest, who reads the prayers over it and sprinkles it with holy water. The family puts an icon of St Nicholas or the Saviour on the dashboard and makes the sign of the cross before pulling out. Long-haul drivers keep a prayer rope on the mirror or in the cab and say the Jesus Prayer on the road. On arriving, they thank St Nicholas.
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you — Consecration, $49.
Questions
Who is the patron saint of pilots?
The Orthodox Church has no separate saint for pilots. Those who fly pray to St Nicholas, the protector of all travelers, and to their Guardian Angel. Many also keep St Christopher, honored East and West as a patron of travelers.
Who is the patron saint of drivers?
For Catholics, St Christopher. Orthodox drivers keep St Christopher too, but the saint on most Orthodox dashboards is St Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Can I put an icon in my car?
Yes. It is an old Orthodox custom. Choose a small icon that won’t block your view, and have it consecrated.