Professional paper

Saints protectors of head and headache in Christian tradition

Ante Škrobonja ; Department for family medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Amir Muzur ; Department for social sciencies, School of medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Aim: To register saints that are a ributed with the power of protecting the head and protecting from headaches in the Christian tradition, and to explain their relationship, or symbolic meaning.
Methods: Elaboration of literature dealing with hagiographies of
saints, sacred iconography and liturgy along with visits to the churches, monastries and museums.
Results: In the period between the years 1970. and 2009. in sacred literature and works of art, it was observed that, amongst approximately a hundred more famous Christian patron saints, 14 of them were venerable patrons against headache. Six examples show
decisive connec on to their martyr death, among which 4 cases are connected with decapitation after torture (Apollonia, Denis, Eustorigio, Pancras), with reference to bandit attack (Peter of Verona), and in one case the saint was put to death by stoning (Stephen the Martyr). Three of them suff ered from chronic and major headache which they successfully overcame by the power of religion. (Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena and Maria Maddalena
de´Pazzi). In four cases the persons in question are charismatic people who had strong medical cures for headache or they healed famous people like Cyriac, Ubaldus, Ulric of Augsburg and Vincent Ferrer). We have yet to fi nd out why Anastasia is also included in this group of patron saints. Conclusion. The said examples show how, by interdisciplinary approach to sacred art and tradition, we can come to other numerous discoveries surpassing religious
messages as such. In this case, they contribute to the history of medicine, in the widest sense.

Keywords

headache; history of medicine; patron saints; religion

Hrčak ID:

38814

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/38814

Publication date:

1.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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