Saint
Genevieve of Paris
Venerable Genevieve of Paris
New Calendar January 3 Old Calendar January 16
Why they are a saint
She was born near Paris to a family of wealthy landowners. When she was about ten years old St Germanus of Auxerre (July 31), passing through the region on his way to Britain, discerned a special divine purpose for her, and told her parents that she had been chosen for the salvation of many. “He asked her that day, and early the next, if she would consecrate herself to holy virginity for Christ and, on both occasions, she answered that it was her dearest wish.
Life
Saint Genevieve was born around 422 at Nanterre near Paris, the daughter of Severus and Gerontia, and tended her father's sheep as a child. When she was about seven, Saint Germanus of Auxerre foretold that she would be great in the sight of God, and when she said she wished to dedicate herself to Christ, he gave her a brass medal with the Cross to wear.
At fifteen she entered the monastic life in Paris and received gifts of clairvoyance and miracles. When Attila the Hun approached Paris, she and the nuns fasted and prayed for the city, and the barbarians turned away. She fell asleep in the Lord around 512 at eighty-nine; most of her relics were destroyed during the French Revolution.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source says that in the Middle Ages she was regarded as the patron saint of wine makers.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Genevieve of Paris as a patron when they bear the name Genevieve at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on January 3. As a monastic, she is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Genevieve of Paris, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.