Saint Maurice, patron saint of Dyers and Soldiers, front and reverse of a French promotional...

Saint Maurice (d.287)was a 3rd century Roman legionary soldier, executed by the Emperor Maximian for refusing to punish Christians; he is especially venerated in Switzerland where a monastery, Saint Maurice-en-Valais, was founded at Agaunum, the place of his execution; also patron saint of the Holy Roman emperors and the Vatican Swiss Guards; illustration from a series of the patron saints of different trades and professions produced as promotional cards to accompany the sale of 'Chicorée Bonne Voiturière'; Patron des Teinturiers et Soldats; the reason for St. Maurice's additional connection with dyers is not known; he is also greatly venerated in the Coptic Church;