Saint Florian

250 – 304 AD

St. Florian is the man who has been given the title of patron saint of chimney sweeps, soap makers, brewers and firefighters.  Florian was born around 250 AD in Cetium, which is now Austria.  As a young man he joined the Roman army, and proved to have the makings of quickly climbing the ranks.  The emperor at the time – Diocletian, recognized his dedication and ability to work well with people, and appointed Florian to a high administrative post in Noricum.  However, Diocletian had no intention of using Florian to do good deeds.

During the Roman Empire, the rise of the Christian doctrine was not tolerated.  Anyone proclaiming to be a Christian was sought out and punished by being put in prison or to death.  The only way Christians could be spared prison or death, is if they were willing to renounce their religion and offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods or emperor.  As an official working under the Emperor, Florian was expected to carry out his duties persecuting Christians in the areas he commanded.  Florian refused.  Angered that he was being disobeyed, the emperor sent one of his assistants, Aquilius, to speak to Florian.  When Aquilius asked Florian why he wasn’t fulfilling his orders, Florian replied, “Tell the Emperor that I am a Christian and will suffer the same fate as the Christians.” 

Stunned by Florian’s confession, Aquilius tried to entice Florian into abandoning his faith by offering him a promotion.  Florian would not be swayed.  In retaliation, Aquilius ordered that Florian be whipped and beaten.  In response, Florian expressed that he wouldn’t mind enduring a “few scratches” for his faith and personal beliefs.  Becoming angered and fearful that Florian would convince other Christians to rebel against him and the emperor, Aquilius ordered his soldiers to burn Florian to death.  When Florian surrendered himself to Aquilius’ soldiers, he stood on the pyre (structure made of wood) with confidence.  Rather than being fearful for his impending death, Florian challenged the soldiers to go ahead and light the fire, saying, “If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames.”  Irritated, Aquilius decided not to burn Florian, but instead ordered him to be scourged and drowned by throwing him into the Enns River with a rock tied around his neck.  Florian died in 304 AD.  His body was recovered and he was given a proper burial.

There are several reasons why it’s believed Saint Florian earned the title of patron saint of fire and firefighters: legend says that during his life, St. Florian put out a massive fire with only one bucket of water, saving a village from ruin.  St. Florian is often depicted in artwork pouring water from a bucket or small vessel.  Many fire stations in Austria and Germany have little statues of him in front of their stations and are commonly called “Florians.”  His particular skill as an officer, was training and organizing Roman soldiers into firefighting groups and establishing permanent fire brigades, for the protection of the cities.  Many years after St. Florian’s death, a man said he was saved from a deadly fire when he called on St. Florian, begging for his intercession.  The feast of St. Florian is celebrated May 4, coinciding with International Firefighter’s Day.