12th May, St Pancras, Martyr and Patron of Railway Stations?

Those who travel regularly through London might be forgiven for thinking that St Pancras is the patron saint of commuters (after the railway station). In fact, this 4th century martyr is a patron saint of children (having been martyred at age 14), and is invoked against the headache (having been beheaded) and against false witness (having been perjured against). Apparently in Spain he is regarded as a patron for getting jobs, and good health. Given the architecture of St Pancras Station Hotel - designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott - he might be one of the patrons of Victorian Gothic architecture, and be invoked against modernist town planning.

The railway station is named after the ancient church in whose parish it is situated. St Pancras Old Church is one of the oldest identified sites of Christian worship in England - it is believed to have existed at least since 314. A number of old churches in England were dedicated to St Pancras, since some of his relics were brought to the country.

My friend the "Clever Boy" of Oxford has written more on St Pancras on his blog: http://onceiwasacleverboy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/st-pancras.html