Noah was a righteous man chosen by God to preserve humanity and the creatures of the earth during the great Flood. At a time when wickedness had spread throughout the world, Noah remained faithful and obedient to the Lord. Because of his righteousness, God commanded him to build an ark through which his family and representatives of every kind of animal would be saved from the coming judgment.
For many years, Noah faithfully carried out God’s command despite the immense challenge before him. When the Flood came, Noah, his family, and the animals entered the ark and were preserved while the waters covered the earth. After the Flood subsided, Noah offered sacrifice to God in thanksgiving, and the Lord established a covenant with him, promising never again to destroy the earth by flood and setting the rainbow as a sign of that covenant.
Noah’s faith and obedience made him a model of perseverance and trust in God. Christian tradition also sees the ark as a foreshadowing of the Church, through which God brings salvation to His people.
Genesis 6:9–22
Noah is described as a righteous man, and God commands him to build the ark.
Genesis 7:1–24
Noah enters the ark, and the Flood covers the earth.
Genesis 8:1–22
The waters recede, and Noah offers sacrifice to God.
Genesis 9:8–17
God establishes His covenant with Noah and gives the rainbow as its sign.
Hebrews 11:7
Noah is praised for his faith and obedience.
Patron of:
Sailors, Shipbuilders, Survivors of Natural Disasters
Feast Day:
Roman Martyrology – December 18 (commemoration of the Patriarch Noah)
Illustration by: Colton Rompala