Saint Florian Patron Saint of Firefighters Catholic Medallion (Sealed)

Saint Florian Patron Saint of Firefighters Catholic Medallion (Sealed)

Florian was born in the mid-3rd century in the Roman province of Noricum, which is today mostly Austria. Like many young men of modest birth, he spent most of his life serving in the Roman army, and eventually achieved a respectably high (though unspecified) rank. One of his duties in the army was firefighting, and he headed an elite brigade of men whose sole job was putting out fires. In 303, the emperor Diocletian enacted a major persecution against Christians, and Florian refused to participate. Under investigation, Florian refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods and was, therefore, outed as a Christian himself. Florian was sentenced to be put to death by burning. Tied to the stake, he boasted that he was not afraid of fire. The soldiers were so intimidated that they pulled him down, tied him to a big rock, and flung him in a river instead to drown. Florian was later canonized and is now the patron saint of firefighters.

This token depicts a famous story wherein Florian puts out a fire with a single bucket of water. As such, he is often shown holding a pitcher. Kneeling in front of him is a modern firefighter. The reverse features a prayer to Saint Florian. The original packaging is still sealed.