Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher, also called Christopher of Lycia, is a legendary figure venerated by several Christian denominations as a martyr and saint. The various legends regarding the saint do not agree on the time and place of his activity. His legendary birthplace is variously placed in Marmarica (west of Egypt), the Middle East or Barbaria. The legendary accounts may situate the saint's legendary martyrdom during the reign of the 3rd-century Roman emperors Decius (r. 249–251), Diocletian (r. 284–305) or Maximinus Daza (r. 308–313). A martyrium of a Saint Christopher consecrated near Chalcedon (near present-day Istanbul) in 452 is the earliest evidence of a cult of a Saint Christopher. The saint's veneration spread in both the Eastern and Western churches.
Broadly, two hagiographic traditions developed mainly distinguished by the level in which they emphasize or downplay the wild animal, monster-like nature of the saint: the older Eastern tradition describes the pre-conversion Christopher as having a ferocious nature and animal features (in particular, the head of a dog) while the younger Western tradition does not dwell as much on these animal-like mental and physical features but rather emphasizes the lack of culture, the giant size and the ugliness of the saint.
Both traditions hold that Christopher was not the initial name of the saint but that this name was only adopted by, or given to, the saint following his conversion to Christianity. The name Christopher used in the English-speaking world is the English version of the Greek name Χριστόφορος (Christóphoros or Christóforos). It is formed from the word elements Χριστός (Christós, 'Christ'), and φέρειν (phérein, 'to bear'), together signifying, "Christ bearer". As the saint's legend spread to many regions, native forms of the Greek name developed both to refer to the saint and as a personal name.
Patron saint of 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
In the Martyrology
- July 25 Saint Christopher, martyr at Lycia