Saint Florian was an officer of the Roman Army around 250 A.D. who occupied a high administrative post in modern day Austria.  Historical documents from the period state he suffered death for his Christian Faith in the days of Diocletian.  As soldiers were rounding up the Christians during the period of persecution, Florian boldly confessed his devotion to the Christian faith and, as a result he was twice scourged, half-flayed alive and set on fire in an attempt to force him to denounce his belief.  Lore states he challenged the soldiers, climbing atop his funeral pyre proclaiming "If you do (burn me upon the pyre), I will climb to heaven upon the flames".  Finally, he was thrown into the river Enns with a stone around his neck. His body, recovered and buried by a pious woman, was eventually removed to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian, near Linz.

It is said to have been at a later date translated to Rome, and Pope Lucius III, in 1138, gave some of the saint's relics to King Casimir of Poland and to the Bishop of Cracow.  Since that time, St. Florian has been regarded as a patron of Poland as well as of Linz, Upper Austria and of firemen.  Because of his acts to defend his faith, St Florian has been invoked against fire and drowning, and has generally been regarded in most countries as the patron saint of the fire service.

A common depiction of Saint Florian portrays him saving a village from fire using a single pitcher of water.  His Catholic Feast Day is May 4th.