The first intercessors and holy patrons of children: a complete list

In their prayers, Orthodox parents often ask for help and intercession for their children. Most often they turn to the Lord and the holy martyrs. Any sincere prayer will reach him, no matter through whom it is addressed. But among Orthodox saints there are those who are considered the first patrons and patrons of children.

Source: freepik

First of all, mothers pray for the well-being of their children to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. And this is understandable, because only she, as a mother, will always understand and notice the feelings of parents for their children. And he will also pray for them to the Lord.

Holy parents who managed to raise their children to be good people are also considered to be patrons and mentors. These are righteous Joakim and Anna - parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Zachary and Elizabeth - parents of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, Reverend Kirill and Maria of Radonezh - parents of Reverend Sergius of Radozhensky.

There are other saints to whom it is customary to turn for protection and help in raising children.

Source: freepik

Venerable Stylian Paflagonsky, Child Advocate

He was born in Asia Minor, in the city of Paphlagonia in the 5th century. Since childhood, he strove for a holy, righteous life, avoiding harmful temptations.

Upon reaching adulthood, he gave away his possessions to the beggars with the words: "I threw off the heavy anchor that kept me bound by the desire of my fallen body. From now on, the path to real life is open to me."

After that, he accepted monasticism in one of the monasteries. He led a very strict, ascetic way of life and became famous for the virtues of purity and obedience.

Wanting to be closer to God, he went into the desert and settled in a cave. He spent days and nights in prayer.

The Lord, seeing Stylian's ardent desire to preserve the childlike faith and purity in his soul, gave him the grace of intercession for children. While he was alive, mothers from different villages came to him in the desert to cure their children of illness. Saint Stylian asked God for healing and always received it for the child.

Barren families received children through the prayers of the saint. After the death of St. Stylian, barren women asked him for healing and received what they desired.

Today, churches are consecrated in honor of the saint in Asia Minor, Greece and Cyprus. On the icons, he holds one or several babies in his arms.

Source: freepik

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myr Lykiskikh, Miracle Worker

He was born in the 3rd century in the Lycian city of Patara, grew up in a pious Christian family. His parents were wealthy people and left a large inheritance after their death. However, Nikolai chose the path of serving God, became the archbishop of Myr Lyki and distributed all his wealth to the needy.

During the persecution of Christians, he was imprisoned, where he miraculously escaped execution. After Emperor Diocletian, the persecutor of Christians, was replaced by Emperor Constantine the Great, the saint was released.

Saint Nicholas performed many miracles, many of which affected children. For example, one day he passed by the house of a poor man who had three unmarried daughters whom he could not marry because they had no dowry. It turned out that the poor man was already going to sacrifice the honor of the girls in order to get at least something for their dowry. Saint Nicholas did not allow this: at night he threw a bag of gold into the window of the house, and the father was able to marry the eldest daughter. This is how Nicholas the Wonderworker acted twice more, thus the girls were saved from impiety, and their father escaped from sin.

Saint Nicholas died in old age, approximately in the middle of the 1087th century. In XNUMX, his relics were transported from Myr Lykia to the Italian city of Bari, where they remain to this day in the cathedral built in honor of the saint in the XNUMXth century.

For a long time, on the day of the saint's memory - December 19 - parents gave their children gifts, and sweets were distributed in churches. And until now it is customary to ask Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker for intercession for his children.

Source: freepik

Holy Martyr Neophyte of Nicaea

He was born in Nicaea, grew up in a strict Christian family. The Lord gave him the ability to work miracles for his meek character, piety and kindness even in his childhood. Somehow a pigeon took Neophyte out of his parents' house and brought him to a cave where a wild lion lived. The saint lived here until he was fifteen years old, leaving only once to bury his parents and distribute the property he inherited to the poor.

During the persecution of Diocletian, Neophyte voluntarily appeared in Nicaea and began to denounce the pagans. For this, he was severely questioned for several days, but he still remained unharmed. His tormentors did not understand this, and the saint was condemned to be fed by animals. But the bear, which was let down on Neophyte, came up to him and took his place. It happened twice more: with a bear and a lion. Moreover, the lion was the one whom the saint met in the stone cave and, having settled it, sent it to live in another place. Saint Neophyte sent the lion back to the desert, forbade him to cause harm to people.

Terrified by Neophyte's power, the pagan rulers ordered him to be killed immediately. So the Holy Martyr Neophyte gave his soul into the hands of the Lord at the age of fifteen.

Parents pray to him for the health, well-being and understanding of their children.

Source: freepik

Patron by date of birth

Of course, the patron saint of each person is his saint by date of birth and name.

• So, Venerable Seraphim of Sarovsky and Blessed Sylvester protect those born from December 22 to January 20;
• Saints Cyril and Athanasius - those born from January 21 to February 20;
• Saint Alexy and Saint Mylenty of Antioch — from February 21 to March 20;
• George the Confessor, Innocent of Irkutsk and Saint Sophrony — March 21-April 20;
• Apostle John the Theologian, Saints Tamara and Stephen - from April 21 to May 20;
• Saint Constantine and Alexey of Moscow intercede for children born from May 21 to June 21;
• Saint Cyril helps those born on June 22-July 22;
• Prophet Ilya and Saint Nicholas the Comforter — protect those born from July 23 to August 23;
• Holy Apostles John and Paul — from August 24 to September 23;
• Venerable Sergius of Radonezh protects those born from September 24 to October 23;
• Saint Paul — from October 24 to November 22;
• St. Varvara and St. Nikolai Ugodnyka — from November 23 to December 21.