Saint Liborius – the patron of urology

DOI: 10.22591/magyurol.2017.3.kopazs.120

Authors:
Kopa Zsolt dr., Nyirády Péter dr.
Semmelweis Egyetem, Urológiai Klinika és Andrológiai Centrum, Budapest (igazgató: Nyirády Péter dr.)

Summary

At the time of the end of Christian’s persecution in the Roman Empire lived Liborius in Gallia, in the city of Le Mans. He was deeply influenced by Latin culture and became priest. Later on he became the bishop of the city and held this position for 49 years. Besides bishop’s activity due to primary evangelisation and establishing of churches he strongly worked for Christianity. After his death lot of miracles and miraculous recoveries happened at his tomb, mainly to urolithiasis patients. Therefore, in 835 his bone relics were placed into the altar of the Cathedral in Le Mans. One year later by the instructions of Emperor Louis the Pious a huge pilgrimage transferred the relics in a decorated shrink to Paderborn to spread the Christian religion into Northern-Germany with this charity. From this charity arosed „Love bond of lasting brotherhood” is the oldest and live contract concluded between two cities. In the 13th century the miraculous recovery of a most famous pilgrim with urolithiasis was documented. From this time St. Liborius is shown with pontifical clothing and three stones placed on his Bible. St. Liborius has a significant respect in France, in Germany, but also in Italy, Spain and in the historical Hungary and several churches and communities wear his name and tend his respect in the USA and Australia. In Hungary he is the patron Saint of two churches, part of his body relics can be find at the altar of Almásfüzítő. By the survey of several archaeological and urological publications the conclusion can be drawn that St. Liborius should be considered as the patron saint of urology.

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