Saint Marinus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Marinus |
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Saint Marinus in a painting by Stefano Bolognini, 1740
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| Died | 366 (traditional) |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Basilica of Saint Marinus |
| Feast | September 3 |
| Attributes | Depicted as a bearded layman with a stonemason's hammer; also depicted as a young deacon with a hammer; depicted serving as a deacon to Saint Leo the Great or Gaudentius of Rimini; two oxen near him. |
| Patronage | San Marino |
Saint Marinus (Italian: San Marino) was a very important person who lived a long time ago. He founded a small community in the year 301. This community later grew into the country we know today as San Marino.
Contents
The Story of Saint Marinus
Saint Marinus was originally a stonemason, which means he was skilled at cutting and shaping stone. He came from an island called Arba, which is now part of Croatia. Back then, this area was part of the Roman Empire.
Marinus had to leave his home because Christians were being treated badly. This was during a time called the Diocletianic Persecution, when people who believed in Christianity faced many challenges.
He traveled across the Adriatic Sea to a city called Rimini. There, he became a Deacon, a helper in the church, and was ordained by Bishop Gaudentius of Rimini.
Finding a New Home
One day, Marinus was wrongly accused by a woman. To find peace and live a holy life, he decided to leave Rimini. He went to a quiet place called Monte Titano. Here, he built a small chapel and a monastery, which is a place where religious people live and pray together. He lived there as a hermit, meaning he lived alone and focused on his faith.
A Growing Community
As time went on, more and more people heard about Marinus and his good deeds. They were inspired by his holy life and started to follow him to Monte Titano. Eventually, a kind lady from Rimini, who owned the mountain, decided to give it to him.
Marinus became known as a saint. The small community he started on Monte Titano continued to grow. Over many years, it developed into the independent state of San Marino, which is one of the oldest republics in the world!
Remembering Saint Marinus
Saint Marinus is celebrated on September 3rd each year. This day marks the founding of his community in 301. It is also the national holiday for the country of San Marino. People in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches honor him as a saint.
It is said that Saint Marinus passed away in the winter of 366. His last words were, "I leave you free from both men." This special phrase is believed to mean that he wanted his community to be free from the control of both the Roman Emperor and the Pope. This idea of freedom has always been a big part of San Marino's history and spirit.
See also
In Spanish: Marino (diácono) para niños
