Saint Christopher

Saint

Christopher
St. Christopher Carrying the Christ Child, by Peter Paul Rubens (AD 1612)
Martyr
BornUnknown
Canaan (Western accounts) or Marmarica (Eastern accounts)
Died251
Anatolia
Venerated in
CanonizedPre-Congregation
Feast
Attributestree, branch, as a giant or ogre, carrying the Christ child, spear, shield, as a dog-headed man
Patronageathletics, bachelors, transportation (drivers, sailors, etc.), traveling (especially for long journeys), surfing, storms, Brunswick, Saint Christopher's Island (Saint Kitts), Island Rab, Vilnius, Havana, epilepsy, gardeners, toothache

Saint Christopher is a legendary figure. He is honored as a Christian martyr and saint in some Christian churches.

These churches also regard him as the patron saint of travelers. According to the legends regarding Saint Christopher he was a big person who once carried the Christ child across a river. There are many artworks depicting Saint Christopher carrying Christ on his back.

References

  1. ↑ (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Χριστοφόρος ὁ Μεγαλομάρτυρας. 9 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
  2. ↑ "الشهيد خريستوفوروس حامل المسيح". St-Takla.org. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  3. 1 2 Ameisenowa, Zofia (1949). "Animal-Headed Gods, Evangelists, Saints and Righteous Men". Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes. 12 (1): 42. doi:10.2307/750254. JSTOR 750254. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  4. ↑ Britannica, ed. (January 10, 2026). "Saint Christopher". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved January 18, 2026.