Feast of St. Hyacinth, Dominican missionary, the “Apostle of Poland”. Patron of St. Hyacinth’s Basilica, Chicago, and of those in danger of drowning. Pierogi are probably the only Polish dish that has its own patron saint. “Święty Jacek z pierogami!”, (St. Hyacinth and his pierogi!) is an old expression of surprise, like the American or “holy smokes!”.