The Iconography of Saints Trivia Quiz

Answer: Saint Peter

Saint Peter is considered to be the first pope and even today, the coat of arms of the Holy See contains a set of crossed keys. Found in the gospel of Matthew 16:19, Jesus is quoted as telling Peter that he is being given the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Beginning around the 16th century, a symbolic set of keys is made for every pope upon his election.

He carries them at all times while in office and they are buried with him when he dies.

Answer: St. George

One of the most eminent military saints, St. George is usually depicted slaying a dragon and riding on a white horse. He is believed to have died around the year 303 A.D. for refusing to renounce his faith. He was decapitated under the orders of Roman Emperor Diocletian and is recorded as having been tortured before his death.

He is the patron saint of many different things including warriors, horses and the country of England.

Answer: St. Agatha

St. Agatha was born around 231 A.D. on the island of Sicily. This martyr was subjected to torture, including the removal of her breasts, and imprisonment. St. Agatha is considered the patron saint of bakers, volcanoes, breasts, and wet nurses. She is usually depicted carrying a tray holding her breasts and carrying tongs or pincers.

Answer: True

Saint Hugh was a 12th century French noble with strong ties to England. Saint Hugh was a bishop who attempted to keep a separation between religion and politics. He was also known for his great efforts to protect the Jews. He was thought to have a beautiful white swan which followed him around and guarded him while he was sleeping. He is the patron saint of swans and those who are sick.

Answer: St. Lucy

As with many of the old saints, it can be hard to differentiate between fact and legend. St. Lucy (St. Lucia) was a beautiful young noblewoman who gave her dowry to the poor before entering the convent. When she refused to into an arranged marriage, the local governor ordered her to be sent to a local brothel where she would be defiled.

When the guards came to take her to her fate they were unable to move her, even after hitching a team of oxen to her. They next tried to burn her at the stake, but failed when the wood would not catch fire.

She was tortured by having her eyes gouged before she was stabbed to death. She is the patron saint for the blind, for salesmen, and for the island of Malta.

Answer: Saint John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist is often portrayed with his cousin Jesus, both as adults and as babies. He foretold of the coming of a savior and is thought to have baptized his cousin, Jesus Christ. He is frequently shown with a lamb although he is sometimes seen as a decapitated head, which is a reference to his manner of death. He is the patron saint of converts, shepherds, and epileptics.

Answer: St. Patrick

Saint Patrick is one of the most well-known saints and while many people associate him with Ireland, he was actually born in Scotland. He was ordained as a priest by St. Germanus who was his mentor. He was known for using the shamrock to explain the idea of the Trinity.

He has been credited with ridding Ireland of all snakes. He is the patron saint of engineers, sinners, paralegals, and many locations including Ireland.

Answer: Stones

Saint Stephen was stoned to death for blasphemy when he preached Christian beliefs. He is thought to have been a Hellenistic Jew with a Greek background and was a deacon in charge of charitable works. After claiming that the recently crucified Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, he enraged the both the judges and the crowd around him.

His death was witnessed by Saul of Tarsus, who was to later become Saint Paul the Apostle. Saint Stephen is usually depicted with three stones denoting the manner of his death, and with a palm frond, a common symbol of martyrdom.

Answer: St. Joseph

Saint Joseph, credited as being the earthly father of Jesus, is generally reputed to have been a carpenter, thus the woodworking tools in many of his depictions. He is the patron saint of travelers, expectant mothers, immigrants, and, of course, carpenters.

He is believed to have provided care for Jesus and his mother until his death. Other than carpenter's tools, he is often depicted with lily blossoms, turtle doves, and with Jesus as a child.

Answer: True

Saint Apollonia is believed to have died in Alexandria, Egypt around 249 A.D. She refused to flee the city even though there was intense prosecution of Christians going on. She is recorded as being seized by a mob who beat her and pulled out all of her teeth.

They lit a large fire and demanded she renounce her faith. She is said to have jumped into the fire herself rather than renounce her faith. She is the patron saint of dentists, toothaches and several cities including Catania. The island of Mauritius was originally named Santa Apolonia by Portuguese navigators, when they discovered it in 1507.