Saints Preserve Us (Part 1) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Peter

In the list of Pope, Peter's name is traditionally placed first. In the Gospels, Peter is described as a fisherman who became one of Jesus's Apostles. His story is continued in the Acts of the Apostles. Traditionally, two Epistles in the New Testament are attributed to Peter.

The image shows two crossed keys, a simplified version of the image that symbolizes the authority that Jesus is said to have given Peter. The English Standard Version of the Bible describes Jesus saying to Peter: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:18-19)

Answer: Andrew

Andrew was the brother of Peter and is described in the Gospels as another one of Jesus's disciples. Some legends suggest that Andrew was executed on an X-shaped cross or saltire. In the legends, it is suggested that Andrew himself asked for this as he felt he was unworthy to be executed in the same manner that Jesus was. Stories suggest that Andrew's remains were eventually brought to Scotland in the location where the town of St. Andrew's would be later established. (Yes, where the famed golf course is located.)

The image shows a white saltire on a blue background, the national flag of Scotland.

Answer: George

George is said to have been executed upon the order of Roman Emperor Diocletian because George would not renounce Christianity. George was such a skilled soldier that Diocletian offered various bribes to George if he would renounce Christianity. The legend of St. George and the Dragon is the subject of numerous works of art and literature. George is also the national saint of England. When England and Scotland were unified in the eighteenth century, the English flag (seen here) and the Scottish flag (a white saltire on a blue background) are combined, to form the British flag (the Union Jack).

The image shows the St. George cross which is also the national flag of England.

Answer: Joseph

Joseph is described in the Gospels as the husband (at first betrothed) of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. Joseph is described in the Gospels by a term that has been translated as carpenter but might be more accurately described as a "maker of objects", although tradition has a long-standing connection between Joseph and woodworking. Joseph is considered a patron saint of workers by the Catholic Church.

The image shows my (admittedly crude) representation of a carpenter's square that a carpenter might use to assure a right angle.

Answer: Nicholas

Nicholas was a bishop in what is now Turkey in the early fourth century. According to the story of the three daughters, the poor man had no money to give his daughters dowries, and the three daughters would likely have become prostitutes. In one version of the story, one of the daughters had hung her laundered stockings by the fireplace to dry and when Nicholas dropped the gold ball (or bag of gold) down the fireplace it landed in the stocking. Through many twists and turns the story of St. Nicholas and his gift giving would eventually lead to the modern day Santa Claus.

The image is of the three gold balls.

Answer: Thomas More

Thomas More (1478-1535) was a noted English humanist. He served as Lord Chancellor of England (1529-1532) He served Henry VIII as Lord Chancellor but as the leading issue of the day was Henry's wish to divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn, Thomas More eventually felt forced to resign his position. Thomas More also wrote the book "Utopia" (1516) which has become the symbol of an ideal society.

The image is of an ax. Thomas More was executed by the English government for treason--in this case, he was said to have denied that Henry was the legitimate head of the English church.

Answer: Stephen

Stephen's story and death is described in the early chapters of "Acts". He was executed by stoning. The men who stoned Stephen to death piled their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul who would later change his name to Paul. Previously, Stephen had been appointed a deacon by the Apostles to assist in the distribution of aid to poor widows in the early Christian community.

The image shows a stick figure representing Stephen with stones--a common motif in religious images of Stephen.

Answer: Patrick

Although Patrick is associated with Ireland, he was actually born in Roman Britain. As a young man he was captured and sold into slavery. In legends, Patrick is shown explaining the concept of the Trinity (three Gods in one) to the people of Ireland by using the three-leafed shamrock. In another legend, Patrick is described as driving the snakes out of Ireland. Patrick's feast day is March 17.

The image is of a shamrock.

Answer: Thomas

Thomas was also known as "Didymus" which means twin. In John's Gospel, he is described as being absent the first time that Jesus appeared to the Apostles after the Resurrection. Thomas expressed doubt that the Apostles had seen Jesus, giving rise to the expression "Doubting Thomas". In John's Gospel, Jesus then appears a second time to the Apostles while Thomas is present. Legends would later describe Thomas as traveling to India as a missionary.

The image is of a spear, which legend suggest is how Thomas was martyred.

Answer: Joan

Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was a young woman who described receiving messages from God. Through her aid, the future Charles VII was able to become King of France at a time when it seemed the English King, Henry VI, would do so. Later captured by the English, Joan was put on trial and executed by being burned at the stake at the age of 19. She was also known as the "Maid of Orleans".

The image is of a Cross of Lorraine, associated with Joan of Arc.