Eisheilige (ice saints), southern Germany (May 11 - 15)

The presence of these 'Strong Lords' brings unseasonably cold and/or wet weather – a reversion to the days of Winter, or an opposite to an 'Indian Summer'. These are the 4th- and 5th-Century saints Mamertius (feast day May 11), Pancratius (Pancras), Servatus (Gervatius; Servatius), Boniface of Tarsus (Bonifatius), and 'Cold Sophie' (Sophia von Rom). These Christian names are versions of the Swabian presiding spirits of these days ...

Categories: germany, calendar-customs, saint, folklore