Cathedral of Saint John the Divine Tongues", and they are devoted to St. Ansgar, patron of Denmark, who is venerated as an apostle to the Scandinavian countries; St. Boniface, apostle of the Germans; St. Columba, patron of Ireland and Scotland; St. Savior (Holy Savior), devoted to immigrants from the east, especially Africa and Asia; St. Martin of Tours, patron of the French; St. Ambrose, patron of Milan; and St. James, patron of Spain. The designs of the chapels are meant to represent each of the seven most prominent ethnic groups to first immigrate to New York City upon the opening of Ellis Island in 1892, the
Columba of Spain Columba of Spain Saint Columba of Spain, or "Columba of Cordova (Cordoba)", was a nun who was born in Cordoba, Spain and martyred around 853 by the Moors. She was a nun at the monastery at Tabanos, near Cordoba, where it is related that she was beheaded by the Moors in 853. Her body is said to have been thrown into the Guadalquivir, but was rescued by the Christians. Her relics were kept and venerated in Old Castile at two churches, the priory of St. Columba and the royal Abbey of Our Lady at Nájera. Veneration of "Saint Comba" in