SAINT

See also:

• FLORIAN, JEAN PIERRE CLARIS DE (1755-1794)
• SAINT FLORIAN

FLORIAN  , a martyr honoured in Upper Austria . In the 8th century Puoche was mentioned as the place of his tomb, and on the site was built the celebrated monastery of canons regular, St Florian, which still exists . His Acta are of consider-able antiquity, but devoid of historical value . Their substance is borrowed from the Acta of St Irenaeus of Sirmium . The cult of St Florian was introduced into Poland, together with the relics of the saint, which were brought thither in 1183 by Giles, bishop of Modena . Casimir, duke of Poland, dedicated a church at Cracow to him . He is represented in various ways, especially as a warrior holding in his hand a vessel from which he pours out flames . His protection is often sought against fire . His day in the calendar is the 4th of May . See Acta Sanctorum, May, i . 461-467; B . Krusch, Scribtores rerum Merovingicarum, iii .

65-68; C . Cahier, Caracteristiques

des saints, p . 490 (Paris, 1867) . (H .