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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
Third century–c. 285
Patron Saints of shoemakers, cobblers, saddlers, tanners, and leatherworkers
Sts. Crispin and Crispinian were brothers who were raised in a Christian household. They learned the shoemaking trade and saw their work as a means to live a devout Christian life focused on evangelization, charity, and fidelity to Christ.
According to tradition, the two brothers came from a noble Roman family and traveled to Gaul, modern-day France, to preach the Gospel. They settled in Soissons, where they supported themselves by making shoes. Following the example of St. Paul, who worked with his own hands while preaching the Gospel, they combined their missionary work with their humble trade.
Tradition says that the brothers worked at night and preached during the day. They gave shoes to those in need and assisted the poor in other ways with their earnings. Their piety converted many to Christianity.
During the Roman persecutions, the brothers were arrested for unlawfully practicing and spreading the Christian Faith and for attracting and converting people to Christianity. Brought before the harsh regional governor, Rictus Varus, they refused to renounce their Faith. They were severely tortured before being beheaded.
A basilica was built over their graves at Soissons by the sixth century. Their relics were later taken to Rome and various other churches.
Centuries later, William Shakespeare’s play, Henry V, raised awareness of the saints with a “Saint Crispin’s Day” speech about England’s victory at the Battle of Agincourt on St. Crispin’s feast day.
The traditional story of Sts. Crispin and Crispinian offers an example of Christian service and the dignity of work. Despite their noble origins, the brothers supported themselves through the humble trade of shoemaking. Their work also became an opportunity for charity and evangelization. This recalls the example of St. Paul, who supported himself through manual labor while preaching the Gospel. For the two brothers, work was not separate from their Christian vocation. Their ordinary labor became a way to serve their neighbors, provide for themselves, and bear witness to Christ.
The saints were originally buried at Soissons, where a basilica was built over their graves by the sixth century. Their relics were later taken to other locations. According to longstanding tradition, Charlemagne transferred some of their relics to Osnabrück, Germany, where a church was dedicated to the two martyrs. Other relics were taken to the church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna, Rome. Their relics helped spread devotion to the saints throughout Europe and contributed to the saints’ patronage of shoemakers, leatherworkers, and other trade guilds.
The date October 25 is famously celebrated in English literature for the victory of the Battle of Agincourt, which was fought on Sts. Crispin and Crispinian’s feast day in 1415. William Shakespeare incorporated this historical coincidence into his play Henry V. Before the battle, Shakespeare has King Henry encourage his soldiers by telling them that those who survive will remember the day with pride and celebrate it as a shared bond. The speech gave rise to a brotherhood or “band of brothers” that immortalized the victory. It became known as the “St. Crispin’s Day” speech and helped make the saints’ names familiar in both Christian tradition and English literature.
Get the free eBook, Sharing in Our Lord’s Passion: Stories of St. Francis of Assisi and Others Who Bore the Stigmata.
St. Francis of Assisi is the first recorded stigmatist in Church history. Since then, many holy men and women have experienced this mystical gift. In this free eBook, you’ll discover the stories of Sts. Francis, Catherine, Rita, and Pio of Pietrelcina, along with Servant of God Rhoda Wise. You’ll also learn more about the stigmata in a special Q&A with “Miracle Hunter” Michael O’Neill, host of several EWTN programs.
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