# Roch

> Christian saint

**Wikidata**: [Q152457](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152457)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Roch)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/roch

## Summary
Roch Raw, widely known as Saint Roch, was a Christian saint and human member of the species *Homo sapiens* who is historically venerated as the patron saint of plague victims. Born in Montpellier, France, in the late 13th century, he is best known for his dedication to caring for the sick during epidemics and his subsequent death in captivity. His legacy is commemorated globally through numerous churches, municipalities, and religious institutions dedicated to his name.

## Biography
- **Born**: +1293-00-00T00:00:00Z or +1295-01-01T00:00:00Z (Montpellier, France)
- **Nationality**: French (associated with Montpellier and France)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Being appointed by Christ as the patron of plague sufferers; caring for the sick during epidemics
- **Employer(s)**: Not applicable (religious figure/saint)
- **Field(s)**: Religion, Christian Sanctity, Plague Care

## Contributions
Saint Roch's primary contribution was his spiritual and physical ministry to the sick during plague outbreaks, an act that led to his designation as a protector against the disease.
- **Patronage**: He was explicitly appointed by Christ as the patron of plague sufferers, a role that defined his historical and religious significance.
- **Artistic Depiction**: His life and martyrdom were immortalized in art, such as Peter Paul Rubens' work "Heilige Rochus door Christus aangesteld tot patroon van de pestlijders" (Saint Roch appointed by Christ as patron of plague sufferers), housed in the Sint-Martinuskerk in Aalst.
- **Institutional Legacy**: His life inspired the creation of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice, a major religious and charitable institution, with historical records detailing his life available through their official archives.
- **Tomb and Altar**: His remains and legacy are enshrined in the "Tomba con pala d'altare" (Tomb with altarpiece) located in San Rocco, Venice.

## FAQs
**Who is Saint Roch and what is he famous for?**
Saint Roch was a Christian saint born in Montpellier who is renowned for caring for plague victims and being appointed by Christ as their patron. He is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic tradition, specifically invoked during times of epidemic disease.

**Where was Saint Roch born and when did he die?**
He was born in Montpellier, France, with birth dates recorded as either 1293 or 1295. He died on August 16, 1327, in captivity, marking the end of his earthly life and the beginning of his veneration.

**How is Saint Roch commemorated in architecture and geography?**
His name is attached to numerous global landmarks, including the Church of Saint Roch in Venice (founded 1489), the San Roque municipality in Spain (founded 1706), and the Saint-Roch railway station in Montpellier. Entire towns, such as San Roque in the Philippines and Sveti Rok in Croatia, bear his name.

**What artistic works depict Saint Roch?**
Significant artistic representations include a painting by Peter Paul Rubens depicting his appointment by Christ, and the altarpiece and tomb within the San Rocco church in Venice. These works serve as visual testaments to his life and patronage.

## Why They Matter
Saint Roch matters because he established a enduring archetype of selfless service during public health crises, transforming the care of the sick into a sacred duty. His designation as the patron of plague sufferers provided spiritual comfort and a focal point for prayer during centuries of devastating epidemics across Europe and the Americas. Without his legacy, the vast network of churches, municipalities, and charitable institutions named after him would not exist, and the cultural memory of caring for the marginalized during plagues would lack a central figure. His influence extends from the 14th century to the present, evidenced by the continued existence of entities like the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the global distribution of places named "Saint Roch" or "San Roque."

## Notable For
- **Patronage**: Officially recognized as the patron saint of plague sufferers.
- **Artistic Legacy**: Subject of major works by Peter Paul Rubens and the creation of the "Tomba con pala d'altare" in Venice.
- **Global Commemoration**: Namesake to over 50 distinct locations and buildings, including the San Roque municipality in Spain (founded 1706) and the Church of Saint Roch in Venice (founded 1489).
- **Historical Documentation**: Extensively cataloged with unique identifiers such as GND (118601652), VIAF (288888994), and Library of Congress (n88167232).
- **Aliases**: Known by multiple names including Saint Rochus, Rochus of Montpellier, St. Roche, Saint Roche, St. Roch, St Roch, and Saint Rocco.
- **Institutional Home**: Associated with the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice, which maintains detailed records of his life.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Saint Roch, also known as Rochus of Montpellier, was a human member of the species *Homo sapiens*. He was born in Montpellier, France, with historical records citing two possible birth dates: 1293 or January 1, 1295. His life is categorized under the instance of "Q5" (human) in knowledge bases, with a Wikipedia title of "Saint Roch" and a Wikidata description identifying him as a Christian saint. He is associated with the country code Q142 (France) through his birthplace and early life context.

### Death and Historical Timeline
The saint's life concluded on August 16, 1327. This specific date is recorded in structured data as +1327-08-16T00:00:00Z. His death occurred in captivity, a detail often associated with his hagiography, though the specific location of his death is not detailed in the provided source text beyond the date. His life spanned the late 13th and early 14th centuries, a period marked by significant religious and social upheaval in Europe.

### Patronage and Religious Role
The core of Saint Roch's identity is his role as the patron of plague sufferers. According to the source material, he was "Heilige Rochus door Christus aangesteld tot patroon van de pestlijders" (Saint Roch appointed by Christ as patron of plague sufferers). This divine appointment is the central tenet of his veneration. This role is visually represented in art, such as the painting by Peter Paul Rubens located in the Sint-Martinuskerk in Aalst. His patronage has made him a central figure in Christian history, particularly regarding health crises.

### Artistic and Cultural Depictions
Saint Roch's life has been immortalized in various artistic forms. A notable work is the painting by Peter Paul Rubens, which depicts the moment of his appointment by Christ. In Venice, his legacy is physically enshrined in the "Tomba con pala d'altare" (Tomb with altarpiece) of San Rocco. These artworks serve not only as religious icons but as historical records of his veneration. The image file "Heilige Rochus door Christus aangesteld tot patroon van de pestlijders - Peter Paul Rubens - Sint-Martinuskerk Aalst.jpg" is a specific digital asset associated with his story.

### Global Commemoration: Churches and Buildings
The influence of Saint Roch is evident in the sheer number of religious buildings dedicated to him across Europe and beyond.
- **Italy**: The Church of Saint Roch in Venice was founded in 1489 and expanded in 1726. The Oratorio di San Rocco in Siena dates to 1511. San Rocco in Parma was established between 1737 and 1750. San Rocco, Rome, was built in 1654. The San Rocco religious building in Plesio and the San Rocco in Nave (a comune) also bear his name.
- **France**: The Saint-Roch church in Paris was founded in 1653. The Église Saint-Roch d'Ajaccio in Corse-du-Sud was built in 1923. The church Saint-Roch of Montpellier in Hérault was constructed in 1861. The Montpellier-Saint-Roch railway station is a modern infrastructure point named in his honor.
- **Other Regions**: The Hermitage of Saint Roch is located in Bonansa, Spain. St. Roch's Church in Białystok, Poland, was established in 1946. The Igreja de São Roque in Lisbon, Portugal, is another significant site. The Church of Holy Trinity in Minsk, Belarus, built in 1864, is also linked in the network of related entities.

### Global Commemoration: Municipalities and Geography
Beyond religious structures, Saint Roch's name defines entire municipalities and geographical features.
- **Spain**: The municipality of San Roque in the Province of Cádiz was founded on May 21, 1706.
- **Philippines**: San Roque is a municipality in Northern Samar. Caloocan Cathedral serves as the seat of the Diocese of Kalookan, also linked to his veneration in the region.
- **Croatia**: Sveti Rok is a settlement in the Municipality of Lovinac, Lika-Senj County.
- **Brazil**: Cape São Roque is a headland in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.
- **Italy**: Nave San Rocco is an Italian comune.

### Institutional and Archival Records
Saint Roch is extensively documented in academic and archival databases.
- **Identifiers**: He holds numerous unique identifiers, including GND (118601652), VIAF (288888994, 45858910), LCCN (n88167232), and BNF (119405002).
- **Online Resources**: His biography is available on the official website of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco (scuolagrandesanrocco.org), which provides details on his life in both English and Italian.
- **Cataloging**: He is listed in the British Library (901000658), the National Library of Israel (987007428536805171), and the National Library of the Czech Republic (mzk2012707979).
- **Aliases**: He is known by a wide range of aliases including Saint Rochus, Rochus of Montpellier, St. Roche, Saint Roche, St. Roch, St Roch, and Saint Rocco.
- **Sitelinks**: The entity has a high sitelink count (54), indicating widespread documentation across various language Wikipedias and knowledge bases.

### Legacy and Influence
The legacy of Saint Roch is defined by the enduring network of places, institutions, and artworks that bear his name. From the 14th century to the 21st century, his influence has shaped the cultural and religious landscape of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, the Philippines, and beyond. The existence of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the continued veneration of his patronage of plague sufferers demonstrate the lasting impact of his life and death. His story serves as a historical anchor for communities facing health crises, providing a spiritual framework for compassion and care.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija Online
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. CERL Thesaurus
6. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints
7. LIBRIS. 2012
8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aistich.php)
9. [Source](https://mix-n-match.toolforge.org/#/entry/63768970)
10. FactGrid