Saint Florian († 304) was born in Cannabiaca (present-day Zeiselmauer near Tulln, Lower Austria). The name means "The Blooming," and his feast day is May 4th. He became an officer in the Roman army in Cetium, now St. Pölten (the capital of Lower Austria). After his conversion to Christianity, he gave up his brilliant career. After many tortures, he suffered martyrdom along with 40 Christians because he refused to renounce his faith. He was drowned with a millstone around his neck around 304 in Lauriacum (present-day Lorch on the Enns, Upper Austria) in the Enns river.

In his youth, he is said to have saved a burning house through his prayer, which is why he is the patron saint of firefighters (Florian's disciples). He is also the patron of potters, coopers, tilers, blacksmiths, chimney sweeps, soap makers, and brewers, and he helps with drought, infertility of fields, burns, fire, water, and storms. In the Czech Republic, a new breed was named in his honor, Floriánka. See also under wine gods and wine saints.
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