Saint Verena
Saint Verena (born c. 3rd century AD in Thebes, Egypt; died c. 320 AD in Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland) was an early Christian woman who came to the region of the upper Rhine (modern Switzerland) and lived as a hermit and healer near the village of Zurzach (modern Zurzach, Canton Aargau). She is the first female saint of Switzerland and her shrine at Bad Zurzach is one of the oldest and most visited pilgrimage sites in the German-speaking world. Her feast day is September 1.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Verena
| Saint Verena | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 01 |
| Profession | Egyptian-born Christian hermit; healer; first female saint of Switzerland; companion of the Theban Legion tradition |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; early Swiss Christianity; Theban Legion tradition; Egyptian Christian diaspora; 3rd–4th-century hermit tradition; first saint of Switzerland |
| Patronage | Switzerland; Canton Aargau; Bad Zurzach; those with skin diseases (from her washing of the sick); the poor; healthcare workers; those seeking cleanliness and healing |
| Attributes | Comb and jug of water (her principal attributes — caring for the sick and poor); Egyptian dress (her origin); hermit's cell or cave; the Rhine landscape; the city of Zurzach; pilgrim staff |
| Birthplace | Thebes, Egypt (traditional) |
| Death Place | Zurzach (modern Bad Zurzach), Aargau, Switzerland |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; she died of old age as a hermit at Zurzach, Switzerland, c. 320 AD; she had lived there as an ascetic for many years after following (according to tradition) the Theban Legion to the Rhine region; she is said to have died peacefully after a long life of prayer and service to the poor and sick; her shrine became one of the oldest in Switzerland |
| Primary Shrine | Stiftskirche (Bad Zurzach) / Verenenmünster — her relics; one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Switzerland; September 1 feast observed with solemnity; active pilgrimage |
| Liturgical Class | Memorial (Roman Rite); September 1; Feast in Switzerland, especially in Aargau and Zurzach |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed locally |
Biography
Verena was traditionally an Egyptian Christian of Theban origin who came to the upper Rhine region in the early 4th century, possibly in connection with the Theban Legion (martyred at Agaunum c. 286 AD under Saint Maurice). She lived as a hermit near Zurzach (modern Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland) and near Solothurn.
She was known for serving the poor and sick — washing them, caring for them with a comb and water jug — combining hermit solitude with active works of mercy.
She died peacefully at Zurzach c. 320 AD. Her shrine at Bad Zurzach became one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Switzerland, attracting pilgrims from across the German-speaking world for 1,500 years.
She is the first female saint of Switzerland, and her name (Verena, Vreni) is among the most common in German-speaking Switzerland. Her feast is September 1.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Thebes, Egypt (traditional)
Death location: Zurzach (modern Bad Zurzach), Aargau, Switzerland
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Verena have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Verena | Stories of Saints | Episode 258 | 5–15 minutes | Christian Family TV |
| Story of Saint Verena | Saints and Angels TV | EP 182 | #saintsandangelstv #saints | 5–15 minutes | Saints and Angels TV |
| The Life and Miracles of Saint Verena | Story of Saint | #saints #SaintVerena #StVerena | 5–15 minutes | Saints and Angels TV |
Shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Stiftskirche / Verenenmünster, Bad Zurzach, Aargau — her relics; one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Switzerland.
- Verenaklamm (Verena Gorge), near Solothurn — hermit cave; popular pilgrimage and hiking site.
Feast day
September 1
Veneration
Saint Verena is the first female saint of Switzerland. An Egyptian Christian who lived as a hermit near Zurzach, she served the poor and sick with a comb and water jug. Her shrine has been visited for 1,500 years. Feast September 1.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.