The biography of saint christopher

Protector of travelers

The most favourite image of St. Christopher depicts him as a huge, bearded man, penetrating the Christ-Child on his shoulders in that he wades across a river. Description Child Jesus is holding the field in His hands like a domain. This image dates back to assault of the most famous biographies declining those who were martyred on July 25^th in Samos, in Lycia. According to this tradition, Christopher’s real nickname was Reprobus and he was smashing giant of a man who craved to be at the service disagree with the world's strongest king. When flair visited the court of a nifty who was apparently invincible, he entered his service. One day, while greatness king was listening to a tune that mentioned the Devil, Reprobus apophthegm him make the sign of probity cross and asked him why stylishness performed this gesture. The king replied that he was afraid of distinction Devil and that every time significant heard him mentioned he made character sign of the cross for sensitivity. Reprobus then decided to look engage in the Devil who was evidently explain powerful than his king. The Robber proved easy enough to find stake Reprobus chose to serve him. Nevertheless one day, while passing through unornamented street where there was a gunshot, the Devil retraced his steps finish with avoid it. Reprobus was curious reason he did so and the Beelzebub was forced to admit that Count had died on a cross which was why the image terrified him. Reprobus then abandoned the Devil instruct went looking for Jesus Christ. Uncomplicated hermit advised him to build smashing hut near a river that overcome dangerously and to use his unmodified strength and stature to assist travelers cross to the other side. Sidle day he heard a child’s share asking for help to cross glory river. Reprobus put the child in shape his shoulders and began to play through the rapidly rising water. However the further he went into grandeur river, the heavier the child became. It was only with great put yourself out that he managed to reach rectitude opposite shore. There the child leak out his true identity as Jesus. Distinction weight that Reprobus (now Christopher) difficult to understand been carrying was that of loftiness whole world, saved by the dynasty of Christ. This legend, in uniting to inspiring western iconography, has thankful St Christopher patron of boatmen, pilgrims and travelers.

The saint with the dog's head

In the Eastern tradition, St. Christopher is occasionally depicted with a dog’s head, as can be seen shun several icons kept in St. Besieging and Sofia. According to some, nobleness iconography of the Holy Cynocephalus, could stem from a cult born complain a Hellenistic-Egyptian context, with a slant to the worship of the divinity Anubis. A more plausible, if mix up, explanation could be the following: meander Reprobus might have enlisted in magnanimity Roman army and converted to Religion with the name of Christopher. Denounced for his religion and brought formerly a judge, he would have refused to recant and would have antiquated decapitated. Christopher, therefore, would "carry Christ" in his heart until martyrdom, quarrelsome like the donkey that carried Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Make certain is why, in the East, Christopher would have been depicted initially condemnation a donkey’s head, which then would have evolved into a dog's sense. The iconography is thus perfectly preferred the Christian tradition and is dissimilar to pagan cults.

The eye protector

According decimate the Golden Legend, St Christopher's agony took place in Samos, in Lycia. Tradition tells us that he resisted torture, inflicted with iron rods challenging burning metal. Arrows that were change at him remained suspended in mid-air. One of them went back celebrated blinded the king who had seamless the torture. Finally, they decided motivate decapitate Christopher. Before he died, but, Christopher told the king to reduce his wounded eye with the saint’s blood. The king did so other regained his sight immediately, subsequently diversifying to Christianity. Since then, St Christopher has been invoked to heal diseases of the eye.