Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher (Greek: Ἅγιος Χριστόφορος, Hágios Christóphoros, lit. 'Christ-bearer'; Latin: Sanctus Christophorus) is venerated by several Christian denominations as a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd-century Roman emperor Decius (r. 249–251), or alternatively under the emperor Maximinus Daia (r. 308–313). There appears to be confusion due to the similarity in names "Decius" and "Daia". Churches and monasteries were named after him by the 7th century.
Christopher | |
|---|---|
St. Christopher Carrying the Christ Child, by Hieronymus Bosch (AD 1485) | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | Unknown Canaan (Western accounts) or Marmarica (Eastern account) |
| Died | 251 Anatolia |
| Venerated in | |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Feast |
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| Attributes | tree, branch, as a giant or ogre, carrying the Christ child, spear, shield, as a dog-headed man |
| Patronage | athletics, bachelors, transportation (drivers, sailors, etc.), traveling (especially for long journeys), surfing, storms, Brunswick, Saint Christopher's Island (Saint Kitts), Island of Rab, Vilnius, Havana, epilepsy, gardeners, toothache |
His most famous legend tells that he carried a child, who was unknown to him, across a river before the child revealed himself as Christ. Therefore, he is the patron saint of travelers, and small images of him are often worn around the neck, on a bracelet, carried in a pocket, or placed in vehicles by Christians.