
Also
known as Cristobal ,Keste,r Kitts, Offero Memorial 25 July
(Roman calendar) 9 March (Greek calendar) Profile Third
century martyr in the persecutions of Decius. Little else is known for sure. His
fame derives from the pious legend of him being a "Christ-bearer" (= Christopher).
He was a powerfully built man who wandered the world in search of novelty and
adventure. He came upon a hermit who lived beside a dangerous stream and served
others by guiding them to safe places to cross. He gave Offero instruction in
the truth of God. Offero took the hermit's place, but instead of guiding travellers,
he carried them safely across the stream. One day he carried a small child across
the stream; the child's weight nearly crushed him. When they arrived on the other
side, the child revealed himself as Christ, and he was so heavy because he bore
the weight of the world on himself. He then baptised Offero with water from the
stream. Christopher's service at the stream led to his patronage of things related
to travel and travellers, people who carry things, etc. One of the Fourteen Holy
Helpers. Born at Canaan as Offero Died martyred c.251 Name Meaning Christ-bearer
(Greek: christos, Christ, pherein, to bear) (Latin: Christophorus, Christbearer)
Patronage against epilepsy against floods against
lightning against pestilence archers automobile drivers automobilists bachelors
Baden, Germany Barga, Italy boatmen bookbinders Brunswick, Germany bus drivers
cab drivers epileptics fruit dealers Fubine, Italy fullers gardeners hailstorms
Havana, Cuba holy death lightning lorry drivers mariners market carriers Mecklenburg,
Germany motorists pestilence porters Rab, Croatia sailors Saint Christopher's
Island Saint Kitts storms sudden death taxi drivers toothache Toses, Girona, Catalonia,
Spain; transportation transportation workers travellers truck drivers truckers
watermen Prayers Prayer to... Representation branch
giant torrent tree man with Christ on his shoulders Back
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