Quirinus of Neuss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Quirinus of Neuss |
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Saint Quirinus and Saint Balbina
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| Died | 30 March 116 Rome, Italy |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Neuss |
| Feast | April 30 |
| Attributes | military attire; knight with lance, sword, hawk; banner or sign with nine balls |
| Patronage | Neuss; Correggio, Italy; invoked against the bubonic plague, smallpox, and gout; afflictions associated with the legs, feet, ears; paralysis; ulcers; Goiter; skin conditions; diseases affecting cattle and horses; patron saint of animals; patron saint of knights, soldiers, and horsemen |
Saint Quirinus of Neuss (also known as Quirin or Quirinus) was an early Christian who is honored as a martyr and saint. A martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs. He is recognized by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
His story and worship became very important in the city of Neuss, Germany. Even though he was a Roman martyr, his main center of devotion was in Neuss.
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Who Was Saint Quirinus?
According to old church records, a Roman martyr named Quirinus was buried in a special underground cemetery. This cemetery was called the Catacomb of Prætextatus. It was located on the Via Appia, an ancient road in Rome.
His name and burial place are mentioned in old lists of saints. These lists helped people remember important figures in Christian history. His feast day, or the day he is remembered, is April 30. This date comes from a list of Roman martyrs from the 4th century.
The Story of Saint Quirinus
Quirinus is part of the legendary stories about other saints, like Pope Alexander I and Saint Balbina. In these stories, Quirinus was a Roman tribune. A tribune was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army.
The legends say that Quirinus was ordered to execute Alexander and two other Christians. This happened around the year 116. However, Quirinus saw amazing things happen when these saints were imprisoned. He witnessed miracles performed by them.
Because of these miracles, Quirinus decided to become a Christian himself. He was baptized by Saint Alexander. His daughter, Balbina, also converted and was baptized.
It is believed that Quirinus was martyred, meaning he died for his faith, on March 30. He was then buried in the same catacomb on the Via Appia.
Honoring Saint Quirinus
Over time, the story of Saint Quirinus spread. His name was added to important church calendars. The most recent version of the Roman Martyrology, which is a list of saints, remembers Quirinus on April 30.
A very important event happened in 1050. Pope Leo IX gave the body of Saint Quirinus to an abbess named Gepa. An abbess is the head of a convent of nuns. Gepa was the abbess of a church in Neuss.
This is how the relics (remains) of Saint Quirinus came to the beautiful Romanesque Church of St. Quirinus in Neuss. This church is also known as the Quirinus-Münster. There is a statue of Saint Quirinus on top of the church.
Saint Quirinus's Influence
The people of Neuss believed Saint Quirinus helped them during a difficult time. This was during the Siege of Neuss in 1474–1475. During this siege, their city was attacked by Charles the Bold.
His worship became popular in many places. This included Cologne, Alsace, Scandinavia, western Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. He became the patron saint of the town of Correggio. A patron saint is a special protector or guide.
Many wells and springs were dedicated to him. People would ask for his help against various illnesses. These included the bubonic plague, smallpox, and gout. He was also seen as a protector of animals. Pilgrims visiting Neuss would seek the "Quirinus water" from the "Quirinus spring."
There was even an old saying among farmers about his former feast day of March 30. It was "Wie der Quirin, so der Sommer," which means "As St. Quirinus' Day goes, so will the summer." This suggests that the weather on his feast day was thought to predict the summer weather.
Quirinus was also honored as one of the "Four Holy Marshals" in the Rhineland region. These were four saints believed to offer special protection.
