Prophet · 8th century BC (traditional)
Jonah
Prophet Jonah
New Calendar September 22 Old Calendar October 5
Why they are a saint
Jonah was the prophet sent to Nineveh, swallowed by the great fish; a type of Christ's three-day burial. In some Greek lists associated with sea-rescuers. The years given for this life are 8th century BC (traditional). The Orthodox Church reads him among the prophets of Israel and keeps his feast on the calendar.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of lifeguards / sea-rescuers (Greek list), because of the sea stories in his life.
Prayer
O holy Jonah, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Jonah of Moscow; Jonah of Perm; many monastic Jonahs.