Christopher

(Χριστοφόρος), Saint a Christian martyr, lived probably about the 3d century. According to the legend, which is interesting as the basis of many popular superstitions, Christopher determined to serve only the most powerful of monarchs. He visited the court of a great prince, who was afraid of the devil, from which he concluded that the devil must be the stronger; but he noticed that the latter, to whom he offered his services, had some fear on looking at the image of Christ. Thus Christopher set himself to find one whose strength was superior to that of the devil. In his distress he went to ask advice of a hermit, who suggested to him the idea of carrying pilgrims across a torrent over which there was no bridge, and this became for a long time the daily occupation of Christopher. One day a child presented itself on the borders of the stream; Christopher took the burden upon his shoulders, thinking it easy enough, but it nearly crushed him. The child was Christ, and, in order to make himself known to Christopher, he ordered him to thrust his great stick into the earth. Christopher obeyed, and saw with astonishment, on the following morning, that the stick had been transformed into a date-tree, with fruit and leaves. Thousands of men, having been drawn near by that miracle, accepted the Christian religion; but the pagan governor of the province put Christopher in prison, and tried his faith by the most cruel tortures. He then was beaten with red-hot iron rods, and many other barbarities were inflicted upon him, but he remained unchangeable. Finally three thousand soldiers were ordered to shoot at him poisoned arrows, none of which struck him, but returned against those who had shot them. The governor himself was struck in the eve, when Christopher indicated to him the remedy by which to cure the wound: it was that, when Christopher's own head had been cut off, he should wash his eye with his blood. Christopher was beheaded. The governor was entirely cured by the blood of the martyr, and was baptized, with all his family. This saint is ordinarily represented under the figure of a giant carrying Christ on his shoulders, and leaning upon a large stick, making all efforts. not to succumb under the burden. The popular belief of the Middle Ages identified the image and the name of Christ with those of St. Christopher, and it was said that "he who ever saw St. Christopher would never die an infamous death." See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.