St Christopher

Christopher was a Christian martyr who lived in Syria in the 3^rd century. He died during the persecutions ordered by the Emperor Decius (resigned 249-251).

Christopher, originally named Reprobus, was reputed to be a very big and strong man, which no doubt gave rise to the legend for which he is best known.

He used his strength to earn a living by carrying travellers across a river. One day he heard the voice of a child who asked Reprobus to carry him across. At first this was easy enough, but as Reprobus waded further into the water the child on his shoulders got heavier and heavier.

When Reprobus cried out that the burden was becoming too heavy for even him to bear, the child announced that he was the Christ-child, and that Reprobus was therefore carrying all the cares of the world that Christ had upon his own shoulders.

Reprobus was therefore renamed Christopher, which means ‘Christ-bearer’.

The legend of St Christopher became very popular in the Middle Ages, as it was believed that looking at an image of St Christopher would guarantee the safety of any traveller. Such images were often painted on the walls of churches to protect people passing by.

The legend has persisted to this day, with St Christopher becoming the patron saint of motorists.

© John Welford