patron saint

Noun

patron saint (plural patron saints)

1. A saint conceived as the patron (protector or supporter) of a particular place, group, person, or activity, for whom or for which his or her intercession is specially invoked.
   • When Aimé Humbert joined Josephine in Paris, he visited the Inspector of Police, and was so depressed by his meeting that she sent him to the Louvre ‘to look at the wonderful painting of St Marguerite, the patron saint of purity, trampling down the hideous dragon and looking so calm and peaceful’.2014, Helen Mathers, Patron Saint of Prostitutes: Josephine Butler and a Victorian Scandal, History Press, →ISBN
   • My patron saint, St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco—also known as “St. John the Wonderworker”—is particularly noteworthy in this regard […]2016 July 8, Wesley J. Smith, “St. John the Wonderworker”, in First Things
2. (figuratively) An exemplar: an individual who exemplifies some trait or group.
   • Janet is the patron saint of procrastination. I'm thinking of erecting her a shrine of doughnut boxes in the breakroom.

   Synonyms:

   archetype, byspel, case, beau ideal, case in point, embodiment, epitome, eponym, exemplar, exemplification