Who is Saint Anthony in Umbanda? Orisha, syncretism, history and more!

The syncretism between Umbanda or Candomblé and Catholicism is remarkable, with its Saints and Orixás directly related. Among them is Santo Antônio, who in Bahia is syncretized with Ogun, in Recife with Xangô and in the rest of the country as Exu, the Lord of the Paths.

Far beyond the effects of colonialism, the syncretism between Santo Antônio and Exu refers to several similarities between both entities. Of course, there are also those who don’t agree, as happens in any relationship of this type. To understand better, learn more about this relationship and whether it is possible to worship the Saint and the Orisha at the same time.

Both Santo Antônio and Exu are very dear entities in their pantheons, representing courage, good oratory and proximity to people. Courageous and protective, they have many points in common, which only reinforce this syncretism. Understand each one’s story better.

Born Fernando Antônio Bulhões, from a wealthy family, Santo Antônio was an only child and from a young age he served the church, becoming a Capuchin some time later. Known as a holy matchmaker, he donated part of his fortune so that girls could pay the dowry and get married under the protection of the Church.

He was also known as the patron saint of the humble, given his custom of distributing food to the less well-off population with his own money. He became famous for working miracles, being a renowned physician and professor at universities in Italy and France.

In Umbanda, Exu is the guardian of the paths and protector of those who need his help. Humble, cheerful and with the gift of oratory, he knows how to inspire, console or give that sermon that no one will forget. He is the messenger between the Sacred and the people.

The most human of Orixás, Exu is movement, dynamic energy, life. He opens paths, helps those in need and knows how to communicate. He never lets bread go to those who ask for it and love to those who suffer for it. It’s not evil, not good, just energy and movement.

Religious syncretism is a reality and demonstrates its strong presence in places where the Afro cult has greater influence, such as Rio de Janeiro or Bahia. See, for example, the procession of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, which takes place on February 2, with offerings to the Orixá Iemanjá.

Both the Catholic and African pantheons are united by ties that refer to colonialism. Santos are related to Orixás and cults end up uniting and giving rise to new ways of celebrating the Sacred, regardless of the name it may receive. Understand this relationship better.

Syncretism is the union, that is, the combination of elements from different religions. You can observe this phenomenon at the beginning of Christianity, which adopted pagan parties and symbols to attract more believers, such as Christmas, which is the Yule Sabbath, where the Goddess gives birth to the Sun God, on the winter solstice; or the Sabbath of Ostara and the resurrection of Christ.

Also the Greek and Roman pantheon have immense similarities with the correlation between their deities and traditions. The same happens with the African pantheon and Catholic saints, with relationships that last from colonial Brazil to the present day.

Umbanda is a Brazilian religion, but its roots are in African matrices. The cult of the Orixás was transmitted orally by men and women brought involuntarily from Africa to work in the country. In addition to all the suffering imposed, they were also forced to “accept” Catholicism as their religion.

One way of maintaining their own culture, even if in a veiled way, was to associate their deities with local saints, based on similar characteristics. And that’s how the religious syncretism between Catholicism and Umbanda began, as a way to maintain its essence and still adapt to what was imposed.

The association between Exu and Santo Antônio is part of this syncretism between African matrices and Christianity. It is born from the similarities between these two entities and from the need to continue their cult. Learn more about this relationship.

For Umbanda, Santo Antônio is associated with Exu, both being respected as individuality in each religion. However, the association between them is remarkable because they have factors in common. To understand religious syncretism, it is important to remember that the Sacred can often have several representations, but it is only one.

Therefore, it makes no difference to say that Santo Antônio is Exu – or is not – because both deal with the same energy of movement, abundance, proximity to what is human and, of course, unconditional love. That way, choose what’s good for you and reconnect, in your own way.

Both archetypes (representations of a certain thing, in this case the Sacred) – Exu and Santo Antônio – are related to love. This is because the Catholic Saint is associated with the ease of being able to marry his love, while Exu, as a creative energy, is also called to facilitate the process.

For the Catholic, love is achieved by placing the saint in a freezer, in water or tied upside down. For the umbanda practitioner, Exu is pleased with his favorite offerings, effort and uprightness of character. In both cases, faith is always present.

Both Exu and Santo Antônio are known for their ability to communicate with people. Whether through preaching, spreading the word of faith or through the sermon, which helps to correct the path.

Santo and Orisha, both with their gift of preaching, good advice and a helping hand whenever necessary. Santo Antônio was a university professor, but he spoke the language of the people. Exu speaks all languages ​​and is the intermediary between Orixás and humans.

Exu and Santo Antônio present several similarities. Among them, the gift of communication, the approximation of the spiritual and material, in addition to being related to cases of impossible love.

Also attributed to Exu are the gift of attracting abundance and prosperity, without missing bread for those in need. In the same way, Santo Antônio is seen as a provider of plenty.

The day of Exu and Saint Anthony is June 13, the date of the death of the saint, which happened in Padua, Italy. Reason why he became known as Saint Anthony of Padua.

It is also a time of celebration to give thanks for the abundance, for the harvest, known as the Festa Junina. And the opening of the festivities takes place exactly on the day of Saint Anthony, or Exu, Lord of Paths and plenty.

Each person chooses how they will relate to the Sacred, the divine. If for you, connecting to this movement force through the syncretism between the African and Catholic pantheons is the best way, then of course you can.

After all, what is religion if not a way to find yourself again and give new meaning to what is considered divine? Thus, the syncretism between Exu and Santo Antônio can represent two entities or just their meaning, always aligned with their choice of what the Sacred is.