Drinking Deities:
Patron Saints
Although Christianity is not as adamant about promoting alcohol as its pagan counterparts it still acknowledges a need to provide spiritual guidance. These patron saints may seem like squares or even boring teetotalers when compared to the party animals of other religions but its sill helps to respect their value in the Christian belief system.
Bartenders:
St. Amand of Maastricht
St. Amand was born in France in 584 AD, and received the ‘calling’
at a young age. His family highly disagreed with his career choices and
attempted to dissuade him through kidnapping and threatening to deny him his
inheritance. Saint Amand stuck to his beliefs and spent many years in quiet
reflection before setting out and spreading the word. His patronage for brewers
and bartenders is due to his missionary work in the beer regions of France and
Belgium.
Beer:
St Augustine
Born in North Africa before the fall of the Roman Empire, St
Augustine spent years of his youth partying and teaching the beliefs of
Manichaeism (cosmic duality of good and evil). Thanks to his mother’s prayers, he
converted to Christianity but brought his philosophical studies of good and
evil with him. As a Christian he turned down the drink, but his wild youth has
lead him to be linked the patronage of beer and brewers.
Wine:
Saint Urban of Langres
Another French Saint born in 374, he is famed for taking
refuge in a vineyard while being persued by pagans. As thanks for protecting him,
Saint Urban converted the vineyard workers and would continue his mission work
moving from vineyard to vineyard. He would later build his church on the
finances from wine. He is the Patron Saint of Wine and Vineyards due to his
career long association with the drink.
Hangovers:
Saint Bibiana
Saint Bibiana is one of the more obscure Saints, alive
during the end of the Roman Empire, she was persecuted for her beliefs. After
her persecutors attempted to force her into prostitution she was tortured and
killed. Her attachment to hangovers comes from her death. A church was later built on her burial ground, and the dust from the columns was believed to
cure hangovers.
Works Cited
No comments:
Post a Comment