St. Roch

Saint Roch, also known as Saint Rocco, was a 14th-century French nobleman who dedicated his life to caring for the sick and needy. During an outbreak of the plague, he miraculously cured many people through his prayers and the sign of the cross. Despite his efforts, he eventually contracted the disease himself and was forced to live as a hermit in the woods. According to legend, a dog belonging to a nobleman brought him food and licked his wounds, aiding in his recovery. Saint Roch is often depicted with a wound on his thigh, a symbol of the plague. He is venerated as a patron saint of those suffering from infectious diseases and as a model of compassion and selflessness.

Feast Day is on August 16
Patronage: Bachelors, dogs, falsely accused people, invalids, Istanbul, surgeons, tile makers