Patron Saints of Firefighters and First Responders
In Russia the firefighters’ icon is the “Unburnt Bush” of the Mother of God: the bush Moses saw burning but not consumed. Families keep it against fire in the home. St Barbara is asked for protection from a sudden death, from lightning and from fire, and the Russian artillery has long honored her. The Archangel Michael watches over all who run toward danger, and St Nicholas is asked for help in every hard hour. In America the firefighters’ saint is St Florian, a Western devotion. Orthodox tradition gives a firefighter’s or paramedic’s family a wider circle to pray with.
The saints the Church turns to
St Barbara the Great Martyr
Asked against a sudden, unprepared death and for strength at the hour of death. In the West she is also patron of firefighters and miners.
4 December (17 December 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).
St Nicholas the Wonderworker
Asked for deliverance from misfortune and help in any hard hour.
6 December (19 December on the Old Calendar).
The Mother of God “Unburnt Bush.”
Prayed to in Russia against fire in the home.
4 September (17 September on the Old Calendar).
In our shop
St Michael the Archangel medallion$49
St Nicholas & Guardian Angelfolding diptych.$69
Protector Set$169
St Herman of Alaska & Guardian Angelasked in American parishes for protection from fire and flood.$69
- St Barbara icon (coming soon)
- “Unburnt Bush” icon (coming soon)
How Orthodox Christians pray for this
A firefighter’s family keeps a lamp before the icon through the shift and prays for a safe return. Many have a cross and medallion consecrated to wear on duty, and keep a small diptych in the locker. Russian households hang the “Unburnt Bush” icon in the kitchen, and after Theophany the priest sprinkles the house with holy water.
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you — Consecration, $49.
Questions
Who is the patron saint of firefighters?
In the Catholic West, St Florian, kept on 4 May. Orthodox Christians pray to St Barbara, to the Archangel Michael and, in Russia, before the “Unburnt Bush” icon of the Mother of God.
Is St Barbara the patron of firefighters in the Orthodox Church?
That patronage is mainly Western. Orthodox Christians ask her above all for protection from a sudden death without Communion, which is why firefighters and soldiers love her.