Saint Christopher

Saint Christopher died a martyr. His name given to him before baptism was Reprobus. Saint Christopher is the patron of travelers and fruit dealers. He is also the patron of archers. His feast day is on July 25. He is said to live in about 250. He is one of the most popular saints of the east and west.

Saint Christopher helping Jesus cross the river. (http://members.chello.nl/~l.de.bondt/Christopher.jpg)

During his life he was a ferryman who helped people across a river with a strong current. He did this a charitable work for Christ. One night a child came to him to cross the river. While he was carrying the little boy across the river, he learned he was carrying Jesus. He learned that he should always respect people like they were God or Jesus.

When he carried Jesus across the river, he could have said no because it was night time. He decided to take him across during the night through the strong river. At the time he did not know it was Jesus and was still willing to carry him across. I think that both Saint Christopher and me learned that we should treat everyone like it was Jesus or God. Because one time in your life you might come across him.

In the Greek Church he is honored as one martyred in Lycia. He died a martyr during the reign of Decius in the 3rd Century. According to legend, during the reign of the Emperor Decius, Saint Christopher was captured. He was captured in combat by the tribes to the west of Egypt. They tried to kill him many times but he would not die. Finally he died and was a martyr for his religion.

When a person prays to him, you should pray against sudden death and storms. Saint Christopher's prayer is,

" Dear Saint, you have inherited a beautiful name, Christbearer, as a result of a wonderful legend that while carrying people across a raging stream you also carried the Child Jesus. Teach us to be true Christbearers to those who do not know Him. Protect all drivers who often transports those who bear Christ within them."
Amen."
-from http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers.