flourished 3rd century; Western feast day July 25; Eastern feast day May 9
Patron saint of travelers and motorists.
He is said to have been martyred in Lycia under the Roman emperor Decius (с 250). Legends depict him as a giant who devoted his life to carrying travelers across a river. One day a small child asked to be transported, and in the middle of the river the child became so heavy that Christopher staggered under the burden. The child revealed that the saint had been carrying Christ and the sins of the world, thus giving rise to Christopher's name (Greek: "Christ-Bearer"). His historicity is doubtful.