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Key Words Saint Marina Patron Saint Miracle Cure Relic
Abstract
Saint virgin and martyr Marina (Margarita) of Antioch in Pisidia (255-270) is recognized as the patron saint of kidney sufferers and the protectress of nephrology. Beginning in the 13th century she heals in particular patients suffering from nephropathies, pregnant women having a difficult childbirth, barren women and sickly children. She protects the patients from every side effect and complication. Saint Marina is represented in hagiography as a victor, defeating the dragon satan, holding a hammer or a cross and wearing a belt around her back in the area of kidneys. According to writers, artists and sculptors the belt is the perceivable means of Saint Marina for the miraculous recovery from and healing of kidney diseases. Therefore, kidney sufferers and pregnant women put belts upon her relics for blessing and then wore them. From the Middle Ages and Renaissance and up to the contemporary period Saint Marina (Margarita) was considered the patron saint of kidney sufferers. Justifiably she is recognized by the modern medical world as the protectress of nephrology.
Medical science, in general, and every speciality, in particular, have protectors and patron saints of the patients. In the former category are the Evangelist Luke, Cosmas and Damian, Panteleimon, the women physicians Zenais and Philonilla, and Hermione as protectors of medicine. In the latter category are Saint Physician and Bishop Blasius protector of laryngology and throat diseases, and Saint Bishop Erasmus patron of gastroenterology. Saint virgin and martyr Marina (Margarita) of Antioch in Pisidia (255-270) is recognized as the patron saint of kidney sufferers and the protectress of nephrology (fig. 1).
The `saint child Marina' [ 1 ] is represented in hagiography as a victor, encroaching upon the dragon satan, holding a hammer or a cross and wearing a belt around her back in the area of the kidneys (fig. 2).
According to Acta Sanctorum, Martyrologium Romanum, Menologium [2] and Synaxarium [1] Marina and Margarita are the same person: `Marina virgo martyr Antiochena, Aedes filia sub Olybrio praeside passa, quae nescio quo metamorphosi in Margarita a Latinis transformata' (the virgin martyr Marina of Antioch, daughter of Aedesius, who suffered martyrdom during the domination of Olybrius, I know not by which way the Latins altered...