My first awareness of the patron saint of firefighters came as I was confirmed in the Catholic faith. The nuns and priests in my parish suggested that we research a saint who had the lifestyle and qualities that we hoped to attain in our lives as a confirmation name. My young mind was made up to become a firefighter when I grew up. So it didn’t really come as a surprise to my classmates that I drove everyone around me crazy until someone located a book that listed St. Florian as the “patron of firemen” (remember, this was the 1950s).
Unfortunately, there was no in-depth history at the time for me to learn about the life and works of St. Florian. I did receive a small medal from my mother and grandmother as a gift that confirmation day, showing St. Florian dressed as a Roman soldier with a house burning behind him. The medal has been a constant part of my life since then. It went with me to Vietnam as an Army firefighter, and it is around my neck as I write this article.
In the early 1970s, I started a pen-pal friendship with a German firefighter, Thomas Herminghaus. Tom assisted me in the beginning of my quest regarding the story of St. Florian. A German police officer and fire buff, Manfred Nonnenbroich, provided me with photographs showing the patron saint that decorate the exterior walls of German and Austrian fire stations. Later correspondence with Wolfgang Gregorig of Austria further contributed to my research and resulting pilgrimage to the village of Markt Saint Florian. Wolfgang’s assistance has been invaluable as he served as my host and tour guide during my Austrian pilgrimage.
Retired Vienna Firefighter Manfred Mischinger provided several Austrian/German articles from old fire magazines. Thus, these bits and pieces of critical data have formed the basis for most of my story. What follows is my version of the legend of St. Florian.
chief of the roman army fire brigade
Florian Von Cetum was born in 250 A.D. Not much is known about his early life until his rise through the ranks of the Roman army and its fire brigade (A.D. 300). He became a high-ranking officer, holding the rank of centurion, and advanced to “Perfectus Vigilum” – the fire chief. He was supreme commander of the “Vigiles” – the Roman firefighters.
The men Florian commanded were regular members of the Roman army who were assigned to the fire brigade. Only the most skilled soldiers were permitted to be part of the brigade. They not only protected Rome and other locales, but were a mobile force as well. The brigade protected the Roman army on its marches and conquests, especially when the soldiers erected tent cities and other temporary and flammable living quarters. Members of the brigade who were titled “Nocturnes” were charged with night firewatch duties, incorporating special police powers as needed to maintain order. The Roman fire brigade numbered 16,000 members at the height of power of the Roman Empire, with 7,000 detailed to the city of Rome.
Like other officers at the time, Florian wore a crest atop his helmet so that his men could see him and follow him into battle against the flames. The color of his crest was bright red. Purple, the most expensive dye, was reserved for the highest-ranking general.
During firefighting efforts, Florian and his men wore leather jackets and trousers with boots. Their helmets were made of brightly polished steel. Standard-issue military clothing and battle armor were unsuitable for fire suppression activities. Artwork and statues of Florian display him in parade dress, looking like other army members, but upon close inspection one will see that his skirt is green. This was the fire brigade’s badge of honor – the coveted color green, which signified the special talents of a firefighter. Conventional soldiers wore the regulation color red.
Florian became a great leader of men and a wise administrator, knowledgeable in matters pertaining to laws and government. Caesar noticed this and had prepared great future plans for Florian’s career. In fact, Florian was serving as the Imperial Commander of 70,000 soldiers and auxiliaries in Upper Noricum (Austria) at the peak of his career. The next promotion would be to a governorship, sanctioned and appointed by Caesar himself.
death foretold
But during this time, Florian became a Christian. He devoted a good portion of his life to his newly discovered faith, but still continued to excel in his leadership role of the army and the fire brigade.
In his new circle of friends, Florian became close to an elderly widow named Valerie. She knew that the Roman firefighters were challenged with the most hazardous profession and duties of all Roman soldiers. Valerie started experiencing visions and dreams involving Florian facing a shortly forthcoming battle that would result in his death. Her concerns were great. She strongly communicated this to him and wished that Florian would return to performing less precarious duties, such as a troop advisor or supply officer.
Florian told her not to worry because in his newfound faith he was serving God and his fellow man, and if he lost his life here on earth, God had a special place for him in Heaven. Florian, however, was a practical man and he asked Valerie that if he lost his life, to see to it that his body was laid to rest near Linz, Austria, on a hillside. Unknown to Florian at that time, his tragic fate was unfolding.
The Caesar at the time was Diocletian in Rome. His wife was a bigoted pagan, hating all Christians immensely. With her negative talk, in concert with their adopted pagan son, they persuaded Diocletian that the Roman Empire’s troubles were the result of a growing number of Christians. So stimulated in the year 304, Diocletian ordered that the empire must be “cleansed” of all Christians, and issued forth an edict to see that his wishes were carried out.
Diocletian knew of Florian and his good work in the western part of the empire. He instructed the governor of that province to overlook Florian’s Christian behavior if Florian would offer public sacrifices to some of the favored Roman gods. When approached by the governor to act in this manner, though, Florian refused, steadfast in his Christian beliefs.
Diocletian was furious when dispatches told him of Florian’s decision. But Diocletian thought he could sway Florian by offering him a new governor’s position if he did pagan services. Florian again refused, only to face the whip. After this, Florian strongly professed his faith as a Christian to Diocletian.
execution ordered
Now Diocletian was faced with a growing revolt in the western provinces as word of Florian’s trials was being widely communicated. The punishment at the time for all professed Christians was to be burned at the stake. Diocletian issued a formal order and announcement to all, in the hope of setting a definite example of Florian’s punishment.
The day arrived (May 4, 304) and Florian was tied to a stake in the public square. Kindling was piled up, but the soldiers detailed to this unpleasant task were unable to light it. Florian laughed at their efforts, and nothing caught fire. He teased the members of the execution detail, chiding them for using inferior-quality firewood. He taunted them further by requesting that an extra large amount of lumber and pine scraps be placed around him, so he could be rapidly lifted to the heavens on the rising heat and smoke. Two of the soldiers ran away, believing that Florian possessed some sort of black magic and would cast a curse on them if they carried out their assignment.
The governor, fearing for his own life, did not want to send word back to Rome of his failure, so he took it upon himself to order Florian’s execution by drowning. He ordered the execution team to take Florian to a Roman warship pier over the River Enns. There, the team tied a millstone to Florian’s neck with a strong, short piece of rope, and finished binding his hands and feet.
But no one stepped forward to serve as the executioner and push the millstone into the river. Everyone respected Florian because of all his past works. With this new delay occurring, Florian asked that he be allowed to pray, since an executioner could not be found. Several hours passed until a detail of soldiers located one Christian-hating man who was willing to serve as the executioner. Florian was delighted that he had so much time to pray. Upon being introduced, he told his executioner that he was looking forward to meeting God.
The executioner rolled the millstone off the pier, pulling Florian into the deep channel of the Enns, ending his life. The crowd started booing, hissing and making ugly remarks. The executioner, now fearing for his own life, assessed his situation and quickly returned to his home and woke up the next morning being struck blind.
The weather pattern for that somber day was an overcast sky, with intermittent bursts of dull sunshine. As Florian’s life was leaving his body in the river, the clouds disappeared and the sun shown brightly. A single eagle appeared overhead, held its position with outstretched wings casting the shadow of the cross over the place in the river where Florian’s body lay. Soon, the eagle and its reflected image of the cross on the water moved to a large rock on the water’s edge. The normal tranquil movement of the Enns was interrupted by several powerful waves that pushed the millstone and Florian’s body to that point.
There Florian’s body came to rest. Valerie and many of Florian’s Christian friends gathered at that place and recovered his remains. They loaded Florian’s body on an ox cart and started their long journey to Linz, under Valerie’s direction to his chosen burial site.
A little over halfway there, the oxen became tired and thirsty. By now, the burial party needed a pause and some refreshment also. The oxen started scraping the ground, and a spring came forth from where they stood. To this day, the site has become a grotto. A metal statue of St. Florian holding his fire bucket delivers a constant stream of pure Alpine water. Miracles of healing and faith are said to be the result of this water. A small church was constructed in 1116 behind the grotto fountain.
Finally, Florian was laid to rest. Upon his burial site, three magnificent structures stand today and actively serve the Christian world and its firefighters. A basilica, monastery and museum named in his honor were constructed in later years. The village of Markt Saint Florian grew because of the monastery and basilica. The old Roman castle Laureacum used to be a short distance away. Thus the region has deep roots of Roman history.
celebrations continue
Since 1071, the Canons Regular of St. Augustine’s order have been working at the monastery. Approximately 80 members (priests and monks) serve 30 parishes. The most interesting event occurs on May 4 each year, when a two- or three-day celebration takes place starting on St. Florian’s feast day. At the basilica a special High Mass is offered, and after that, the village festivities begin.
The celebration acknowledges three intercessions for which St. Florian is the patron saint: first, for his safeguarding from fire; second, for his protection from water-related disasters; and third, as the overall defender of the land known as Austria. His intercession was sought through a unified prayer by the Austrians when border battles occurred with the Turks and Huns around the 11th century. The Austrian army was successful in repelling the invaders, and to this day over 250 churches, located on the borders, are dedicated in his honor. His memory as a Roman soldier is strongly preserved.
There is so much more to tell that relates to this unique part of Austria that a book would be necessary to cover everything. Other museums, outdoor sports, the Bruckner organ – these just top the list of things to do and see. Interested only in fire protection? Then visit the fire museum (a day in itself), and prepare yourself for a dual fire brigade tour. A “works” protects the religious structures and property, while the village guards the community and countryside. These fire protection units recently celebrated 150 and 125 years of service, respectively.
I hope that this article has provided some insight into the deep foundation of international fire protection that began in Roman times. St. Florian’s feast day is May 4, and many countries celebrate that day with special events and activities. Firefighters and their civilian supporters wear red and blue ribbons to show support for all firefighters worldwide (the colors represent the two elements we are strongly associated with – fire and water.) This date is also a mark of respect for all who have served, been lost or injured in the line of duty, and to recognize the dedication and commitment required of firefighters at all levels of their careers.
Jumping back over 17 centuries, we can see that St. Florian and his brigade colleagues firmly established the solid and humane principles of protecting their fellow man from the ravages of fire. Let us all reaffirm our commitment to uphold these noble ideas and continue this compassionate profession.
Michael Louis Kuk, Ph.D., is assistant fire chief at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Until recently, he was fire chief at the Savanna, IL, Army Depot. He has conducted extensive research on St. Florian, and has a large collection of St. Florian memorabilia. Kuk is chairman of the Federal Firefighters’ Memorial Committee. He became a fire chaplain in 1998 and he also serves as the U.S. Army’s fire service historian.
