Christopher was a martyr of the early church. He was tortured and decapitated by the Roman state in the mid-3rd century after he refused to renounce Christ. The historical details about Christopher’s life are few, although many tales about Christopher exist in Christian tradition. He was from either Canaan or North Africa (traditions differ). According to legend, Christopher was a large, strong man who made his living as a porter. Each day, he carried travelers across a raging river, holding them on his shoulders. One day, a small child approached Christopher and asked to be carried over the water. As Christopher carried the small passenger, he was surprised to find himself nearly overcome by the weight of the child. Fearing they would drown, Christopher was strengthened by a power not of himself and made it to the other side of the river. Safely ashore, the child revealed that he was Jesus Christ and that the heaviness was from the weight of the world, which Christ bore for all of mankind. Christopher, whose name means “Christ-bearer,” had performed the essential act of every Christian - bearing the Savior who bore the sins of us all (1 Peter 2:24).
Almighty God, you gave your servant Christopher boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Art & bio by Ben Lansing
PREORDER the book www.ourchurchspeaks.com
#saintchristopher #catholic #orthodox #anglican #martyr #saint