Commemoration of Saints (March 4)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Casimir, confessor
• Adrian and Companions
• Peter of Cava, bishop

St. Casimir of Poland (1458-1484 A.D.) was the son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Elizabeth of Austria. He was the third of the thirteen children of the Polish royal family [1]. Casimir was drawn toward a life of holiness even at a young age.

Upon reaching the age of fifteen, nobles from Hungary came to King Casimir IV to ask him to place Casimir on the throne of that country. Though reluctant to do so, Casimir obeyed his father and led an army to the borders of Hungary. Confronted by the large army assembled by the opposing forces, many of the Polish troops deserted. This event led Casimir to see that the war would be unjust because of the casualties that would result. He returned with his army back to Poland. While his father was unhappy with the decision, Casimir gained the Poles attention to give him the title of "Peacemaker".

Casimir served as the viceroy of Poland from 1479-1483 A.D. while his father was out of the country. St. Casimir died at the young age of twenty-six in 1484 A.D. due to his austere practices. He was canonized by Pope Adrian VI in 1522 A.D. and named the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania [2]. St. Casimir is buried in the Cathedral of Vilnius. Miracles were reported at his tomb. Devotion to him is popular among Polish and Lithuanian immigrants to the United States and Canada [3].

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [March 4]

• Gerasimus, a Hermit
• Sts. Paul and his sister Juliana, Martyrs

St. Gerasimus of Kefalonia (1509-1579 A.D.) is the patron saint of the island of Kefalonia in Greece. He is a hermit and a follower of St. Euthymius, who brought Gerasimus to the Christian faith when he followed for a time Eutychianism.

Gerasimus founded a laura near Jericho for the disciples who gathered around him. He became well-known for his mortifications, the austerity of his rule, and his miracles [1] [4].

References: Books, Websites & Search Results

• [1] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [2] Saints for Our Time, by Ed Ransom
• [3] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien
• [4] Search result for "st gerasimus", Google.com, March 4, 2025