Christopher, Saint, is the patron saint of ferry workers and travelers. It is not certain that he existed historically, but he may have been martyred (killed for his beliefs) about A.D. 250. Legend says he was a ferryman who carried people across a bridgeless river. One day, he carried over a child who seemed to grow heavier at each step. When they reached the shore, he remarked that one would think he had been carrying the burden of the world. To this the Christ child replied: “Thou hast borne upon thy back the world and Him who created it.”
It is believed those who seek Saint Christopher’s protection will not be harmed. For this reason, many people carry Saint Christopher medals.
Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Saint Christopher’s Day on May 9. Since the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic ritual, Saint Christopher’s feast no longer appears in the Roman Catholic liturgy. But he is still venerated as a saint.
