Martyr · 605
Oswald
Oswald the Martyr, King of Northumbria
New Calendar August 5 Old Calendar August 18
Why they are a saint
Saint Oswald was born around 605, the second of the seven sons of the Anglo-Saxon king Aethelfrith, who was the first ruler to unite the provinces of Bernicia and Deira into the kingdom of Northumbria. The Orthodox Church commemorates Oswald on August 5.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Oswald as a patron when they bear the name Oswald at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on August 5. As a martyr, he is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Oswald, 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.