peitrãn seint]= a saint (see saint below) considered to be a protector of some group or nation

a saint who is considered to be a defender of some group or nation

a regular saint who is empowered to act on behalf of humanity in targeted circumstances

a saint venerated as a special protector or intercessor

a special kind of saint who is able to intercede on behalf of mankind in specific circumstances

In those denominations of Christianity which believe in the intercession of saints, the patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who has special affinity for that group and its members. Prayers by such people are considered more likely to be answered by their patron saint. For example, Saint Christopher is generally thought of as the patron saint of travelers (although his veneration has been downplayed by the Roman Catholic Church because of the meager historical record), Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the Irish and Saint James the Great is the patron of rheumatics and of Spain.