St Boniface

There are several saints or martyrs named Boniface, two of whom are associated with viticulture:

Boniface of Tarsus

The canonised Boniface (meaning "benefactor") of Tarsus or Boniface († around 306) was not originally a Christian. However, he was commissioned to find relics of Christian martyrs in the region around Tarsus and bring them back to Rome. In Tarsus in Cilicia in present-day Turkey, he experienced the horrors of the persecution of Christians under Emperor Galerius (250-311). He was impressed by the fact that those tortured to death did not waver in their faith and was baptised. He suffered death by boiling pitch for his public confession of faith.

According to legend, his body was brought to Rome, where he was buried on the Via Latina. The picture in the centre shows scenes from the life of Boniface - baptism by the pagans (above) and martyrdom (below). St. Boniface is one of the four or five Ice Saints, his day of remembrance is 14 May (orthodox 19 December). There are two country proverbs:

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St Boniface

Boniface of Tarsus

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