Patron Saints of Soldiers and the Military
The Church has always had soldier-saints. George and Demetrios were officers of Rome who would not deny Christ. St John the Warrior served under Julian the Apostate and quietly protected the Christians he was sent to arrest. Above them stands the Archangel Michael, chief of the heavenly host. Orthodox mothers sew a small icon into a son’s uniform, and Orthodox soldiers carry St George and St Michael. They pray for courage, for the safe return of those who serve, and for mercy on all sides. The Church also remembers the two Theodores and the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, soldiers who kept the faith.
The saints the Church turns to
St George the Great Martyr
Asked for courage for those in military service and for the freeing of captives.
23 April (6 May on the Old Calendar).
The Archangel Michael
Chief commander of the heavenly hosts, asked for protection from enemies visible and invisible and for deliverance from fear.
8 November (21 November on the Old Calendar).
St Demetrios of Thessaloniki
Asked for courage in danger and the protection of soldiers; the Russian Church remembers fallen soldiers on Dmitrievskaya Saturday.
26 October (8 November on the Old Calendar).
St John the Warrior
Asked to strengthen those in military service and to deliver them from captivity, wounds and sudden death.
30 July (12 August on the Old Calendar).
St Alexander Nevsky
A prince who knew when to make peace and who died a monk; asked for courage, wisdom and the safety of soldiers and their families.
23 November (6 December on the Old Calendar).
In our shop
St George medallionstainless steel, silver-tone, 60 cm chain.$49
St Michael the Archangel medallionstainless steel, silver-tone.$49
St John the Warrior & Guardian Angelfolding diptych.$69
Protector Set(St John the Warrior diptych, St Michael medallion, cross, prayer rope).$169
- St Demetrios icon (coming soon)
- St Alexander Nevsky icon (coming soon)
We ship to APO and FPO addresses.
How Orthodox Christians pray for this
Before a deployment the family asks the priest for a moleben, a short service of prayer, for the one who is leaving, and has a cross and a small icon consecrated for him or her to carry. At home a lamp burns before St George or St Michael, and the soldier’s name is given at every Liturgy for commemoration. Mothers keep a prayer rope and pray daily for a safe return. On Dmitrievskaya Saturday Russian families remember those who did not come home.
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you — Consecration, $49.
Questions
Who is the patron saint of soldiers?
Orthodox Christians pray above all to St George, the Archangel Michael and St Demetrios, with St John the Warrior. Catholics also name St Michael and St George, together with St Joan of Arc and St Sebastian.
Who is the patron saint of the military in the Orthodox Church?
The Archangel Michael, commander of the heavenly hosts, kept on 8 November (21 November on the Old Calendar), and St George, whose icon Orthodox soldiers have carried for centuries.
Do you ship to deployed service members?
Yes, to APO and FPO addresses.
