Most Christian Saints receive the title for good deeds during their life, but some got it by doing the most insane and strange things imaginable.
One guy was named the patron saint of hemorrhoids for his medicinal herbs that healed rear-end afflictions, a saint of Scotland is remembered for banishing the famous monster of the Loch, and one guy spent thirty-seven years living on top of a pillar to avoid the “temptations of the Earth”. There’s a patron saint of teeth, a saint of unattractive people, and even one for the internet.
Do a deep dive through the dusty tomes of Christianity and discover some holy maniacs who made history.
1
St. Bartholomew
Often depicted holding his own flayed skin because he was martyred by being skinned alive
2
St. Clare of Montefalco
After her death, her heart was said to contain a tiny crucifix, a scourge, and other symbols of Christ’s Passion, supposedly grown inside her.
3
St. Nicholas of Myra
The real Santa Claus, who once punched the heretic Arius in the face at the Council of Nicaea
4
St. Catherine of Siena
Survived on practically no food except the Eucharist, and once drank pus from a plague victims sore as a form of penance
5
St. Apollonia
Had all her teeth knocked out during torture, now the patron saint of dentists and toothaches
6
St. Columba
Supposedly banished a monster from Loch Ness
7
St. Fiacre
A gardener whose medicinal plants led him to be declared patron saint of hemorrhoid sufferers
8
St. Isidore of Seville
A scholar who was declared the patron saint of the internet, despite dying in 636
9
St. Wilgefortis
A bearded woman saint who prayed to become unattractive to avoid marriage, grew a beard, and was crucified by her father
10
St. Denis
After being beheaded, he supposedly picked up his head and walked several miles while preaching a sermon.
11
St. Anthony of Padua
Once preached to a group of attentive fish after being ignored by humans
12
St. Christina the Astonishing
Died, came back to life at her funeral, flew into the rafters, and spent the rest of her life dodging the smell of sin
13
St. Drogo
Patron saint of unattractive people and coffee
14
St. Joseph of Cupertino
Said to levitate during Mass and often had to be tied down so he wouldn’t float off
15
St. Simeon Stylites
Lived on top of a 50-foot pillar in Syria for 37 years to avoid worldly distractions
