These alabaster bookends feature St. Florian and a prayer of protection for firefighters. Keeping heavy books in line, they both organize and decorate your home. This pair of bookends makes the perfect personal gift for the active or veteran firemen and women in your life.

St. Florian is the patron of firefighters due to his role organizing and training elite Roman troops to put out fires. He rose to the rank of a commander in the Roman legions, but was martyred for not persecuting the Christians in his region and refusing to worship the Roman gods. He is invoked for protection against floods as well as fires due to his execution in the Danube river.

The bookends are made from stone-cast alabaster here in our shop in Steubenville, Ohio. Alabaster is a building and decorating material created from the mineral gypsum that has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs. It boasts an attractive smooth finish and will last for years to come.

Each measures roughly 6" x 8", including the 4"x 6" inset image plaque, and is 3" deep.

Text reads:

"Dear God, through the intercession of, St. Florian, save us from all bodily harm, if it be Thy will, but above all, help us to be loyal and true, respectful and honorable, obedient and valiant. Thus fortified by virtue, we shall have no fear, for we shall then belong to Thee and shall never be separated from Thee. have mercy on the souls of those who have sacrificed their lives in performance of their duty and have gone before us after years of faithful service. We place our lives in Your hands, O Lord. Amen."

(BKE-FIRE)