Saint Florian Legend and Life
Fire in Ancient Rome was an ever present danger. Caesar Augustus in the year 6 expanded firefighting units, and subsequent emperors did the same. Even so, one of the worst fires in Rome's history happened during Nero's reign, in the year 62. The slave brigades had no interest in risking their lives to save the homes of their masters. They were a less than effective firefighting force. Precautions against fire were strictly enforced: Each householder in Rome was required to have at least the basics in firefighting equipment.
Later, circa 205 in Rome, cohorts of men called the Vigiles were formed.
The Vigiles were night watchman patrolling the streets in the small hours of the morning. They were the law and order, arresting drunks and burglars, on the look out for runaway slaves, and especially: watching for unsupervised fires. Roman firefighters belonged to the Equestrian class. Each unit had its own doctor and medical staff, complete with chaplain. Roman firefighters were equipped with the most up to date technology: a hand-operated piston water pump. It delivered water to a fire as fast as the brigade could relay the buckets. No hoses, hand to hand bucket chains. In Florian's time, around 250, firefighters were a critical part of the Roman military. More than 7000 highly trained and paid men were distinguished from the regular Roman soldiers by a their green tunics. When Florian enlisted in the Roman Army, around 268, the Soldier Emperors of Rome were in the process of reforming the military. Emperor Gallienus was determined to make the army a quick and efficient mounted fighting force, ready to dispatch at a moment's notice to the troubled border regions.
Florian advanced quickly. When he made captain he was assigned to lead an elite fire brigade.
His superiors said he was good with people, a real problem-solver, and a dedicated hard-worker. His unit was so successful that Florian shot through the ranks to General and was assigned to govern a remote regions of the Empire: Noricum, located in Austria where he was born. General Florian had the power to enforce the law and collect taxes.
The Roman law of the land was to abolish Christianity.
For years, since Emperor Decius, the Roman Empire had persecuted Christians. Decius wanted to revitalize the worship of the original Roman gods and goddesses, the worship of spirits which lived in rocks and trees. Roman gods, like Janus, Guardian of the door, and Vesta, goddess of fire, were old Roman standbys. Those who would not renounce their Christian faith were burned at the stake, crucified, or otherwise put to death. By 284, Florian had become a Christian. Rome became suspicious when rumors floated back from Noricum that Florian was not enforcing it's anti-Christian laws. When superiors, like Aquilinus, on direct orders from Emperor Diocletian, told Florian to burn the Christian churches, and their books, and to force Christians out of their jobs and throw them in prison, Florian was torn between duty and faith. In 304, Florian refused direct orders to execute Christians. Aquilinus and the Emperor Diocletian feared Florian would lead a Christian rebellion. Thousands of Christians were rounded up, and their homes torched. Florian wrote his famous Acts, and then turned himself in at Lorch, to Aquilinus, and the Roman army.
Aquilinus ordered Florian to make sacrifices to the Roman pagan gods. Florian refused, and professed his Christian faith.
The Roman soldiers beat Florian with clubs and spikes, he was flayed. A fire was built. Florian challenged the Roman soldiers to build his pyre high, so that his soul might rise more quickly to heaven. Aquilinus, fearing Florian might become a martyr for Christians, commanded the Roman soldiers to tie a millstone around Florian. He was thrown into the River Enns, not far from where it enters the Danube. An eagle guarded Florian's body until a peasant woman, Valeria, found him. Florian was given a Christian burial at Lenz.
Florian has become the protector of those who fight the peril of fire with water.
Since then many credible stories of Florian's powers have grown up around him. Even during his life time there were reports of miracles he performed. Ironically, only a hundred years later Christianity was declared the official religion of the Holy Roman Empire, and all pagan cults were banned. Saint Florian is a major Patron Saint of Austria and Poland. He's also the patron of the fire service people of Austria.
Pray to Saint Florian for Abundant Harvest
and for Success in All Adventures
Feast Day: May 4 ~ born 250 AD, died 304 AD