Discover the Unheard: Top 13 Fun and Intriguing Facts About St. Ambrose You Never Knew!

1. Bee Whisperer and Honey Tongues

St. Ambrose: the original Bee Whisperer, honey tongues his way into history with his unbeelievably sweet sermons and apiary afterlife entourage. Holy buzz, Batman! Here's the buzzworthy truth: St. Ambrose, patron saint of bees and beekeepers, was visited by a swarm of bees as a baby, signaling his future prowess in eloquent speech. He became known as the "Honey-Tongued Doctor," often depicted with bees or a beehive in his iconography. The Latin term for honey, "ambrosia," also the food of gods in mythology, stems from his name. Today, "ambrosia" describes the nectar and pollen blend used by worker bees to feed their larvae.
Source => planbeeltd.com

2. Baby Ambrose's Honeyed Origins

Whoever said "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" must have been inspired by St. Ambrose: As a baby, he gained the moniker "Honey Tongued Doctor" when a swarm of bees descended on his face, leaving a drop of honey behind, symbolizing his eloquent speaking skills and forging a lifelong connection with bees and their keepers.
Source => losangelescountybeekeepers.com

Did you know? Aristotle, Plato's star student, not only founded his own school but also made groundbreaking observations on over 500 animal species! Discover more about this ancient intellectual icon.

=> Fun Facts about Aristotle

3. The Humble, Hidden Scholar

Would you believe St. Ambrose wasn't a fan of "show and tell"? That's right, though he's the patron saint of learning! The clever twist: Unlike some other well-preserved saints, his remains are kept modestly hidden within his sarcophagus at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan, Italy, where he's rested in peace since 397. Quite the humble studious chap!
Source => orthochristian.com

4. The Justin Timberlake of Theological Harmonization

If St. Ambrose were a pop star, he'd be the Justin Timberlake of theological harmonization: Bringing harmony back (yeah!) with his ability to fuse Greek and Roman culture with Catholic faith like a divine mashup maestro: St. Ambrose was not only a gifted intellectual and harmonizer of cultures but also a mentor to St. Augustine, a trusted advisor to public officials, and a staunch defender of the Nicene Creed against heretical pressures from the Empress Justina.
Source => thecatholictelegraph.com

5. Small Size, Big Scolding Abilities

When they say "size matters," they aren't talking about St. Ambrose's scolding abilities: This feisty 4th-century Bishop of Milan wasn't afraid to give Emperor Theodosius a piece of his mind following the bloody Massacre of Thessalonica, resulting in the humbled emperor repenting and eventually being readmitted to communion.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Medieval Jay-Z: The Hymn Composer

Who needs a DJ when you've got St. Ambrose pumping out the heavenly hymns and dropping divine verses? This saintly songwriter was like the medieval Jay-Z, turning doctrines into dope tunes: St. Ambrose pioneered the composition of original songs for the Latin Church, profoundly influencing sacred music for the next millennium and even inspiring the German hymnals of the Reformation.
Source => g3min.org

7. Righteous Sibling Rivalry: St. Marcellina

When sibling rivalries take a righteous turn: St. Marcellina, St. Ambrose's older sister, was a devoted Christian consecrated virgin whose dedication to prayer and asceticism ended up inspiring the young ladies in Milan and earning her own sainthood, as well as a special literary dedication from her brother in his work on virginity.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. St. Ambrose: The Divine Superhero

Who needs Spider-Man when you've got St. Ambrose swinging in with a mild-mannered charm and holy heroics?: As a humble servant of Milan, St. Ambrose assisted the locals personally, played an avengers-worthy role in converting St. Augustine from the dark side of Manichaeism to the light force of Christianity.
Source => jamespaulgaard.com

9. Robe-Rocking Saint and Iconic Hymn Hits

Rockin' the bishop robes like a divinely inspired DJ, St. Ambrose was laying down sacred beats before Spotify was a feudal twinkle in the pope's eye: As a theologian extraordinaire and instrumental virtuoso, he composed iconic hymns such as "Veni Redemptor Gentium" that continue to feature in the Catholic Church's greatest hits.
Source => stambroseparishtucson.org

10. The Saint and the Bees: Bee's Knees Origin Story

You've heard of the birds and the bees, but have you heard of the saint and the bees? It's the buzzworthy tale of a baby who was truly the bee's knees: St. Ambrose, as legend has it, received a holy visit from a bee swarm during his infancy. They settled on his face without harm, leaving behind a single drop of honey. This miraculous event became symbolic of his future eloquence and "honeyed tongue", with bees and beehives now iconic features of his symbology.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Holy Mackerel: Shipwrecked Sibling Edition

Ahoy, faithful shipmates! In a story that puts the "holy" in "holy mackerel," our seafaring saint's sibling proved that having divine carry-on luggage is better than any lifejacket: St. Satyrus, brother of St. Ambrose, survived a shipwreck thanks to his unshakable faith and the Blessed Sacrament he had with him. Refusing to cling to mere planks, his steadfast belief led him to safety and, eventually, baptism. Though a mysterious illness took him not long after, his memory and relics continue to be venerated to this day as the patron saint of sacristans in Milan.
Source => newliturgicalmovement.org

12. Unbeelievable Bee and Candle Alliance

Who knew that bees and candles could form an unbeelievable alliance: St. Ambrose, the patron saint of beekeepers and candle-makers, buzzes around with a bee – symbolizing wisdom and education – while also lighting our way with candles that represent the light of Christ. This multitasking saint ensured education and light wasn't all he was revered for, as he also fought for the rights of the Church and the less fortunate in his time as a bishop in Milan. Unsurprisingly, schools and sports teams representing Saint Ambrose proudly earned the nickname "fighting bees."
Source => christianapostles.com

13. St. Ambrose: The Saintly Composer Contender

Move over, Mozart and Beethoven - there's a saintly composer stealing the spotlight: St. Ambrose not only penned at least four heavenly hymns, like "Veni redemptor gentium," but also pioneered a unique hymnography that shaped the course of Christian music for centuries to come.
Source => en.wikipedia.org