Biblical Saints

*Saint Andrew by Peter Paul Rubens, from his Twelve Apostles series (1611)*

St. Andrew

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and the older brother of St. Peter.

Born: 5 AD
Died: 60/70 AD (aged 55/66)
Feast Day: 30th of November

*Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Virgin Mary*

St. Anne and Joachim

According to tradition derived from certain apocryphal writings, the parents of the Virgin Mary.

St. Anne
Born: 49 BC
Died: 4 AD (aged 52)
Feast Day: 26th of July

St. Joachim
Born: 75 BC
Died: 15 BC (aged 60)
Feast Day: 26th of July

*Barnabas curing the sick* by Paolo Veronese, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, France (1566)

St. Barnabas

An important early Christian missionary mentioned in the New Testament and one of the Apostolic Fathers. St. Barnabas was a cousin of St. Mark.

Year of birth and death unknown.
Feast Day: 11th of June

*Statue of Saint Bartholomew, by August Wredow at the roof of the Helsinki Cathedral, Finland. Carrying a knife because he was skinned alive and beheaded.*

St. Bartholomew

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Also known as Nathanael.

Bartholomew is often depicted in art Carrying a knife because he was martyred by being skinned alive and beheaded.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 69/71 AD
Feast Day: 24th of August

*St James the Minor by Peter Paul Rubens, from his Twelve Apostles series (1613)*

St. James, son of Alphaeus

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.

The Bible does not explicitly state that the apostles James and Matthew were related or brothers, even though they are both associated with someone named Alphaeus. This remains a topic of speculation.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 62 AD
Feast Day: 9th of October

*St James the Elder by Peter Paul Rubens, from his Twelve Apostles series, (1612–1613)*

St. James, son of Zebedee

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the older brother of St. John the Apostle and a fisherman by trade.

Born: Unknown
Died: 44 AD
Feast Day: 25th of July

St. James the Just (James, the brother of the Lord)

A Christian apostle, according to St. Paul, although not one of the original Twelve Apostles. He was leader of the Jerusalem Christians, who with Saints Peter and John the Evangelist is one of “the pillars of the church.” Also known as James, the brother of the Lord.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 62 or 69 AD
Feast Day: 3rd of May

*A portrait of St. John from the Book of Kells, 800 AD, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland*

St. John the Apostle

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the younger brother of James Son of Zebedee and a fisherman by trade. Traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

According to Christian tradition, John lived to an advanced age and died around the end of the 1st century, likely in his 90s. He was the only one of the original apostles who is not said to have been martyred.

Born: 6 AD
Died: 100 AD (aged 93)
Feast Day: 27th of December

*Saint John the Baptist by Titian (1540)*

St. John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist is a significant Christian figure known for being the cousin and forerunner of Jesus Christ. He preached about repentance and baptised Jesus in the Jordan River, marking the start of Jesus’ public ministry.

Living an ascetic lifestyle in the wilderness, he called people to turn away from sin. St. John was ultimately martyred for criticising King Herod, particularly regarding Herod’s marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. He is honoured as a prophet and saint in various Christian traditions, symbolising the call to spiritual renewal and preparation for Christ’s coming.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 30 AD
Feast Day: 24th of June

*Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni (1635)*

St. Joseph

Jesus’ earthly father and the Virgin Mary’s husband. A carpenter by trade, Joseph is revered for his humility, obedience, and role as a protector and provider for the Holy Family.

St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers, fathers, and the universal church in Roman Catholicism.

Year of birth and death unknown.

Joseph has multiple feast days.

Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary – 19th of March
Honours his role as the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus.

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker – 1st of May
Honours St. Joseph as the patron saint of workers, as he was a humble carpenter and model for all who work, as well as his dedication to providing for his family

*Joseph of Arimathea (or, possibly, Nicodemus), detail of the Florence Pietà by Michelangelo, which is thought to be a self-portrait, in the Opera del Duomo Museum, Florence. (1547–55)*

St. Joseph of Arimathea

A biblical figure who assumed responsibility for the burial of Jesus after his crucifixion. Three of the four canonical Gospels identify him as a member of the Sanhedrin, while the Gospel of Matthew identifies him as a rich disciple of Jesus.

Born: Unknown
Died: 1st century AD
Feast Day: 17th of March

*The Apostle Judas Thaddeus by Anthony van Dyck (1621)*

St. Jude (Judas Thaddeus/Lebbaeus)

Thaddaeus, one of the 12 apostles and is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes. Is also known by several other names such as:

Judas Thaddaeus (Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot.)
Jude
Lebbaeus
Judas, son of James

These different names are used in various biblical accounts and texts to refer to the same apostle.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 65 AD
Feast Day: 28th of October

*Saint Luke* by James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum (1886–1894)

St. Luke

The author of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke was one of the Four Evangelists and the most literary of the New Testament writers. The patron saint of physicians and artists due to his background as a doctor.

Born: Between 1 AD and 16 AD
Died: Between 84 AD and 100 AD (traditionally aged 84)
Feast Day: 18th of October

St. Mark (John)

The author of the Gospel of Mark is the shortest and most straightforward of the four Gospels. St. Mark was also a cousin of St. Barnabas.

Mark is also referred to as John in the Bible. As seen in the Book of Acts, he is mentioned as John, also known as Mark, in Acts 12:12 and Acts 12:25. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys.

Born: 12 AD
Died: 68 AD (aged 56)
Feast Day: 7th of October

*Virgin of the Lilies* by Bouguereau (1899)

St. Mary

Mary, the mother of Jesus and wife of Joseph, was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. She is referred to as the Blessed Virgin because she conceived Jesus through a virgin birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. She is considered the holiest of saints.

Born: 18 BC
Died: After 33 AD

Mary has multiple feast days, known as Marian feast days, that are dedicated specifically to her throughout the year.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Celebrates the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin.

Feast of the Annunciation (March 25)
Marks the announcement by the Angel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive Jesus.

Feast of the Visitation (May 31)
Celebrates Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist.

Feast of the Assumption (August 15)
Commemorates Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15)
Reflects on Mary’s suffering during the Passion of Jesus.

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8)
Celebrates the birth of Mary.

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7)
Honors Mary and the significance of the Rosary in prayer.

St. Mary Magdalene

A woman described in the four gospels accompanied Jesus and the apostles as one of His supporters. She observed His crucifixion and is reported to be among the first to encounter Him following His resurrection. Jesus had freed Mary Magdalene from demon possession.

Year of birth and death unknown.
Feast Day: 22nd of July.

*Saint Matthew and the Angel by Guido Reni (1620–1630)*

St. Matthew (Levi, son of Alphaeus)

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, Matthew was a tax collector before being called by Jesus to be his Apostle and is the traditional author of the Gospel According to Matthew.

The Gospels of Mark and Luke refer to Matthew as Levi, son of Alphaeus. Apostles Matthew and James are associated with Alphaeus; however, the Bible does not say they were brothers. This remains a topic of speculation.

Although not officially stated, Levi may have been his initial name and Matthew (meaning “gift of God”) may have been a name he adopted or obtained later, symbolising his new life as a disciple of Jesus. Similarly, Jesus renamed Simon, Peter and Saul took on the name Paul.

Born: Unknown
Died: 1st century (believed around year 68) AD
Feast Day: 21st of September

St. Matthias

Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after he betrayed Jesus. The early disciples sought to find a suitable replacement to maintain the group’s number of twelve. Matthias was selected by casting lots (similar to throwing dice) highlighting the emphasis on God’s divine guidance in the decision.

Matthias is often depicted with an axe because it is believed that he was martyred by being beheaded with one.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 80 AD
Feast Day: 24th of February

*Conversion on the Way to Damascus by Caravaggio. Paul is seen on the ground after falling off his horse, overwhelmed by a light from Heaven. (1601)*

St. Paul (Saul of Tarsus)

A former violent persecutor of Christians who converted to Christianity and became an apostle of Jesus Christ. He had two names, as he inherited Roman citizenship. His Hebrew name was Saul, and his Roman name was Paul. After his conversion, he wanted to preach Christianity to Gentiles and thus chose to adopt the Roman name Paul.

Born: 5 AD
Died: 64/65 AD (aged 59/60)
Feast Day: 29th of June

*Saint Peter by Peter Paul Rubens, from his Twelve Apostles series. Peter is vested in the pallium, and holding the Keys of Heaven (1610–1612)*

St. Peter (Simon)

Simon was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and a prominent leader in the early Christian Church. He was a fisherman by trade and the younger brother of Saint Andrew. Jesus renamed him Peter, which means “rock” in Hebrew, to signify his role as a spiritual foundation for those who follow God’s words.

Peter is also known as the first pope in Catholicism, as Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. Artwork often depicts Peter holding these keys. The Catholic Church views all popes as St. Peter’s successors.

Born: Unknown
Died: Between 64 and 68 AD
Feast Day: 29th of June

*St. Philip, by Peter Paul Rubens, from his Twelve Apostles series, at the Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain (1611)*

St. Philip the Apostle

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He played a significant role in bringing Bartholomew (Nathanael) to Jesus, where he became His disciple and is associated with the spread of Christianity in the regions of Greece and Phrygia.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 80 AD
Feast Day: 3rd of May

St. Philip the Evangelist

One of the seven deacons was appointed to tend the Jerusalem Christians, enabling the Apostles to conduct their missions freely. He played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of Christianity beyond Jerusalem.

Born and died in 1st century AD
Feast Day: 11th of October

St. Silas

Was an early Christian prophet and missionary. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians mentions Silas as having preached with Paul and Timothy to the church in Corinth.

Born: Unknown
Died: 65-100 AD
Feast Day: 6th of June

*Simon the Zealot by Caravaggio (17th century)*

St. Simon the Zealot

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, a member of a sect within Judaism called Zealots, a political faction that advocated for independence from Roman rule.

Simon is often depicted in art holding a saw because it is said he was martyred by being sawn in half. This imagery is a common way to represent his martyrdom and distinguish him from the other apostles.

Born and died in the 1st century AD
Died: 65-100 AD
Feast Day: 28th of October

St. Stephen

the first Christian martyr and one of the first Christian deacons in Jerusalem.

Stephen is often depicted in art with stones because he was stoned to death.

Born: 5 AD
Died: 33–36 AD (aged 27–31)
Feast Day: 26th of December

*The Apostle Thomas by Paul Rubens, from his Twelve Apostles series (1613)*

St. Thomas (Didymus)

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Often referred to as “Doubting Thomas,” as he is best known for his scepticism regarding Jesus’ resurrection, famously expressing doubt until he could see and touch Jesus’ wounds.

Also called Didymus. The name “Didymus” means “twin” in Greek, which aligns with the Aramaic name “Thomas,” meaning “twin” as well (John 11:16; John 20:24; John 21:2).

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 72 AD
Feast Day: 3rd of July

St. Timothy

A disciple of St. Paul the Apostle and a Greek convert to Christianity. One of his key contributions was organising the Church in Crete, Greece.

Born: 30 AD
Died: unknown (The Acts of Timothy dates Timothy’s death AD 97 (aged 79/80)
Feast Day: 24th of January

St. Titus

A disciple of St. Paul the Apostle and a Greek convert to Christianity. One of his key contributions was organising the Church in Crete, Greece, where he served as its first bishop.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: 96 or 107 AD
Feast Day: 26th of January

*Christ with the Cross on his back, encountering Veronica* by Antonio Arias Fernández (1657)

St. Veronica

The woman from Christian tradition who, according to extra-biblical apocryphal literature, wiped Jesus’ face as he carried the cross to Calvary. Although the name Veronica and the associated story are not directly mentioned in the biblical texts, they are part of Christian tradition.

Born: 1st century AD
Died: Unknown
Feast Day: 12th of July