The medal originates from worship of the figure of St. Christopher, a martyr that lived during the 3rd century during the times of the Roman Empire. While looking for Christ, he met a hermit who baptized him and taught him about Christ. One day he came across a pack of robbers traveling on the road, one of which claimed to be the devil himself. Everyone slept in the same large room in the inn, and any coins or valuables the travelers carried had to be kept hidden. Amen, Your email address will not be published. 10/07/2015 17:37 h. Regina Navarro. St. Christopher was not always called by this name. This patronage came about because of the legend of St. Christopher carrying the disguised Christ-child across a river. St. Christopher offered to work at a nearby river, and help travelers across. Is St. Christopher officially recognized by the Church? People who traveled usually did so in groups for protection. Despite these technicalities, it is widely thought that he was real and that he continues to intercede on behalf of Christians, especially children, today. But, more importantly, he was a spiritual giant and a sure model and inspiration for the Christian faithful. … O Lord, we humbly ask you to give Your Almighty protection to all travelers. It is due to this lack of historical fact that St. Christopher’s feast day, July 25th, is no longer honored in the Roman calendar. This is a collector coin ideal gift for a frequent traveler. Our jewelers can engrave a message, name, or date on these beautiful Saint Christopher pendants. St. Christopher obliged. His steadfast faith converted many in the city. Other than his listing as a martyr, there are no primary sources referring to St. Christopher, only stories and traditions which have been passed down. Get a 10% Off coupon today and notice of discounts and other releases as they happen. Christopher took the place of the hermit but instead of guiding travelers to … When Christopher returned the next day, the staff had become a palm tree, bearing fruit. He is invoked for protection against lightning, storms, pestilence, epilepsy and even toothaches. A man with a dog’s head Sep 6, 2019 - St Christopher Protect Us Coin is the patron saint of travelers. St. Christopher Antique Silver Medallion. St. Christopher is also the Patron Saint of gardeners, sailors and transportation workers. Arriving in Lycia in Asia Minor, and witnessing to Christians there who were being martyred. Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. St. Christopher, patron saint of drivers; St. Christopher, patron saint of drivers. Because there is no direct proof of his … Saint Christopher is the patron of Travel and Travellers. If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. St. Christopher has many different patronages Including: Patron of Travelers; Patron of Bachelors; Patron of Motorists and Drivers; Patron of Transportation workers; Patron of Gardeners; Most famously he is regarded as the patron saint of travelers. Christopher could barely carry this small child who weighed so very much. Inspire them with due sense of duty and knowledge and help them guide those entrusted in their care to complete their travel safely. St Christopher once carried a baby boy now thought to be Jesus. The St. Christopher medal is inscribed: "Saint Christopher Our Protector." His face may be strained but always looking upward to the sweet-faced child resting on his shoulders. While serving the king, he noticed that when someone would mention the name of the devil, the king would make the sign of the cross. Reprobus watched as the devil refused to walk on the side of the road that had a cross stuck in the ground. Christopher was scourged with iron rods, cast into the flames, from which he was saved by the intercession of Christ, and finally transfixed with arrows and beheaded; thus he completed his … Due to the proliferation of the number of feast days over the centuries, the Second Vatican Council in its "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy" proposed, "Lest the feasts of the saints should take … Saint Christopher also did not become popularized in the Church until the 7th century, about three centuries after his supposed death. One of the most traditional acts takes place in c/ Regomir. Many people wear St. Christopher medals to seek his guidance during travel (including the daily travel through life). Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. St. Christopher found a hermit who taught him all about Christ, the King of Kings. Reprobus thought that if the king was afraid of the devil, that must mean the devil was greater. According to these accounts, St. Christopher was extremely tall, and by some accounts he was even a giant! St. Christopher is one of the most popular of saints, and his intercession is petitioned by travelers, soldiers, sailors, those caught in storms, and transportation workers. He is often depicted on medallions and necklaces, for example, as a large man carrying a small boy on his shoulders, wading across a river and holding a staff to support them both. His legend is that of a tall ferryman in the third century who agreed to carry a child across a river. 98% of our readers don't give; they simply look the other way. In addition to being the patron saint of travelers, Saint Christopher is believed to protect people from epilepsy, lightning, storms, pestilence, and floods. St. Christopher is perhaps one of the most well-known of the saints, and although he no longer holds a feast day on the Roman calendar, he is highly honored and regarded by Catholics worldwide. Then the Christ Child told Christopher to fix his staff in the bank of the river and come back tomorrow to see what had occurred. See more ideas about st christopher tattoo, saint christopher, sleeve tattoos. St. Christopher is usually depicted as a tall man with a beard carrying a child on his shoulder across a waterway. Those who wear his medal are paying respect and hoping for his blessing on their travels. Eventually, he was arrested and beheaded. Made in the USA. Statues of St. Christopher were once placed in … Christopher picked the child up and began to carry him on his shoulder through the waters. The confusion arises due to the similarities between the names of the two monarchs. But when this leader avoided a Christian cross out of fear, St. Christopher learned there was someone even more powerful than the Devil. The hermit advised St. Christopher this would please Christ. Thou gavest life, I pray no act of mine may take away or mar that gift of Thine. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. You will often see St. Christopher pendants hanging from the rear view mirror of a car or attached as a clip on the car’s visor. St. Christopher, holy patron of travelers, protect me and lead me safely to my destiny. His protection is sought for drivers, pilots, boaters, and transportation workers. He is said to have been a large and strong man, looking for the most powerful person to serve. Aug 8, 2017 - Explore Matthew Beckett's board "St Christopher tattoo" on Pinterest. He no longer has a universally celebrated feast day in the Roman Calendar, but is remembered by many local churches. He went in search of Christ, wanting to serve him as the greatest king of all. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. If you are one of our rare donors, you have our gratitude and we warmly thank you. Be at my window and direct me through when the vision blurs From out of the blue. The king ordered that Christopher should be martyred, and after many attempts at his life, he was beheaded. Clement of Rome is said to be the third successor of Saint Peter and the first … Jul 11, 2016 - Explore Curtis Pullin's board "Saint Christopher" on Pinterest. Thinking that the burden of the whole world could not be greater than that child, Christopher discovered he had carried the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Mediterranean world there were the Roman roads but as the centuries went on, many of these were not kept up. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2021 Catholic Online. Saint Christopher, (flourished 3rd century; Western feast day July 25; Eastern feast day May 9), legendary martyr of the early church. He may have also been named Reprobus. The child then revealed himself to be the Christ Child, and that the weight he felt was the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. Saint Christopher, patron saint of travelers, is by far one of the most endearing of all saints. Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. St. Christopher was eventually martyred by a pagan king. Accept our fervent and sincere prayers that through Your great power and unfaltering spirit, those who travel may reach their destination safe and sound. He spent some time with a band of robbers preying on travelers. This led him to believe that Christ was greater than the devil. The image of St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child is his most popular image in holy cards, stained glass windows, and statues of every size. This means that what is known of him is what has been preserved by writers who documented the stories they heard years after St. Christopher lived. Teach us to be true Christbearers to those who do not know him. Dear St. Christopher, you have inherited a beautiful name – Christ-bearer – as a result of a wonderful legend that while carrying people across a raging stream you also carried the Child Jesus. St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers and of children. This would be the sign to Christopher that the child was truly Christ. There is also speculation that St. Christopher could have also been confused with St. Menas, an Egyptian saint. The name Christopher means Christ bearer in Greek, or one who carries Christ. 16kt Gold over solid sterling silver. Because he is not officially recognized by the Church, he has no date of beatification or canonization. Let Saint Christopher be your partner in prayer as you say one of the prayers below or as part of your rosary devotion. Saint Christopher (Greek: Άγιος Χριστόφορος) is a saint venerated by Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, listed as a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd century Roman emperor Decius (reigned 249–251). St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers and safe travel. The best known of these accounts is found in “The Golden Legend,” written in the 13th century by Jacob de Voragine. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. Carry me safely to my destined place, like you carried Christ in your close embrace. However, as he entered midstream, the river rose and the child's weight grew and became extremely heavy. During his search, he encountered a band of thieves, whose leader referred to himself as the Devil. We know of his popularity because around the 7th century, churches and monasteries began to be named after him. One day a child asked to be carried to the other side. Christopher was a well-built man who came about a hermit who guided travelers to safe points to cross a dangerous river. After his baptism, it is said that his face took on a more gentle, human appearance. For a while he thought he had found that in Satan leading him to the life of a thief. After all, he helped … In addition to being the patron saint of travelers, Saint Christopher is believed to protect people from epilepsy, lightning, storms, pestilence, and floods. For the most part travel was done on foot, as few were able to afford horses or oxen to pull their wagons. St. Christopher, holy patron of travelers, protect me, and lead me safely to my destiny. St Emily De Vialar Medal - Sterling Silver - Medium, Engravable, St Jude Medal - Sterling Silver - Large, Engravable, St Michael the Archangel Medal - Sterling Silver - Medium, Engravable, Blessed Emilie Tavernier Gamelin Rosaries, A Surprising Patron Saint for Artillerymen. He apparently died under the Roman Emperor Decius, in 251 AD. St Christopher is known as the patron saint of traveler’s because he once acted as a human ferry helping people cross a section of raging water. Dear Saint Christopher, protect me today in all my travels along the road’s way. Most Catholics refer to him as Saint Christopher anyway, and his medals and the popular devotions to him are among the most common in Catholic piety. He is listed as a martyr, possibly named Reprobus, who died under the Roman Emperor Decius, in 251 AD. The child then vanished. St Christopher could not believe such a small boy could weigh so much. The liturgical reading and hymns refer to his imprisonment by Decius who tempts Christopher with harlots before ordering his beheading. It makes sense that Christopher obtained this particular description and title. This adds credibility to the supposition that St. Christopher was merely a legendary figure and not a real person. Most depictions of Saint Christopher whether they are on a necklace, religious medal or a rosary center show him with a haloed child on his shoulder and a staff in his hand. Amen” Protection Prayer: “Dear Saint Christopher, protect me today in all my travels along the road’s way. Another version of this is that prior to his baptism, St. Christopher had a rough appearance which may have been frightening to some. Teach me to use my car for others’ need; nor miss through love of undue speed the beauty of the world; that thus I may with joy and courtesy go on my way.