Christopher | |
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![]() 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 |
Saint Christopher (Greek: Ἅγιος Χριστόφορος, Hágios Christóphoros, lit. 'Christ-bearer';[3] 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".[4] Churches and monasteries were named after him by the 7th century.
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.