Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 26 February – St Andrew (9th Century) Bishop and Confessor of Florence

Saint of the Day – 26 February – St Andrew (9th Century) Bishop and Confessor of Florence. Also known as – Andrea.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Florence, St Andrew, Bishop and Confessor.”

Andrea da Firenze, Spanish Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Fresco, 1365-1367.

Information regarding St Andrew’s life is scarce and fragmentary. According to tradition, he lived in the 9th Century and was the Bishop of Florence.

The first documented record dates to 18 December 871, when he is mentioned as an Imperial Envoy attended at Court with Margrave Adalbert. In 874, he obtained from Emperor Louis II the German, the privilege of immunity for the Bishop’s property. On 1 March 893, his Envoys are reported to have handed his niece to Bertha, Abbess of the Abbey of Sant’Andrea, to be educated and trained to succeed the Abbess.

This scant information does not allow us to reconstruct Saint Andrew’s life. However, it is possible to hypothesise that he was a man of great faith and profound culture. His presence in Florence is attested by several documents and by his Liturgical Feast celebrated today.

Saint Andrew is considered the protector of the City of Florence. His figure has been depicted in several works of art, including a 15th Century Altarpiece preserved in the Church of Sant’Andrea in Florence.

A Church dedicated to him existed as early as the 13th Century, located in the Square of the same name in the historic center of the City. This Church was replaced and today, the memory of Saint Andrew is preserved in the Cathedral of Florence. A Chapel is also dedicated to him in the Church of San Lorenzo, where the Relics of his predecessor, Saint Zenobius, are preserved.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Notre-Dame des Champs / Our Lady of the Fields, Paris (250), St Margaret of Cortona and the Saints for 26 February

THURSDAY of the FIRST WEEK of LENT

Notre-Dame des Champs / Our Lady of the Fields, Paris, France, consecrated by St Denis (250) – 26 February:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/26/our-lady-of-the-fields-paris-france-consecrated-by-st-denis-250-and-memorials-of-the-saints-26-february/

St Margaret of Cortona TOSF (1247–1297) Penitent, Franciscan Tertiary, Mystic, Apostle of Charity, Founder of a charitable Lay Apostolate and an Order of Sisters known as “Le Poverelle” – Italian for “The Little Poor Ones.”
“Le Poverelle” :

https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/22/saint-of-the-day-22-february-st-margaret-of-cortona-tosf-1247-1297/

Bl Adalbert of Tegernsee
St Agricola of Nevers

St Alexander of Alexandria (Died c326) Bishop of Alexandria, Confessor, Defender of the True Faith against heresies, in particular the Arians.
The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “At Alexandria, the Bishop St Alexander, an aged man held in great honour who was a successor of the blessed Peter as Bishop of the City. He expelled from the Church, Arius, one of his Priests, tainted with heretical impiety and convicted by Divine Truth and, subsequently, was one of the three hundred and eighteen Fathers, who condemned him at the Council of Nicea.
Holy Father St Alexander:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/26/saint-of-the-day-26-february-st-alexander-of-alexandria-died-c-326/

St Andrew (9th Century) Bishop and Confessor of Florence
St Dionysius of Augsburg

St Faustinian (4th Century)The 2nd Bishop of Bologna.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Bologna, the Bishop St Faustinian, whose preaching strengthened and multiplied the faithful of that Church which had been much afflicted during the persecutions of Diocletian.”
A Brave and Zealous Shepherd:

https://anastpaul.com/2025/02/26/saint-of-the-day-26-february-st-faustinian-4th-century-the-2nd-bishop-of-bologna/

St Felix
St Fortunatus
St Irene
Bl Ottokar of Tegernsee

St Porphyrius of Gaza (Died 420) Bishop of Gaza from 395 to 420, known, from the account in his Life, for Christianising the recalcitrant pagan City of Gaza in Palestine and demolishing its pagan temples. Previously he had been a Hermit.
His Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/26/saint-of-the-day-26-february-saint-porphyrius-of-gaza-died-420-bishop/

Blessed Ulrik O.Praem. (Died1187) Priest, Prior of the Monastery of Obermarchtal
Blessed Ulrik’s Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/26/saint-of-the-day-26-february-blessed-ulrik-of-obermarchtal-o-praem-died-1187-priest/

St Victor the Hermit (Died 6th Century) Priest, Monk, Hermit, miracle-worker.
Holy St Victor:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/26/saint-of-the-day-26-february-saint-victor-the-hermit-died-6th-century-priest/