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Saint The holy, glorious and right-victorious great-[[Martyr]] '''Christopher of Lycia ''' (d. 249) the Cynocephalus ''Christ bearer'' (Greek: ο Άγιος Χριστόφορος ο Κυνοκέφαλος) , also known as the ''Cynocephalus'' or ''Dog-headed'' among the West, is a [[saint listed as a martyr killed during ]] of the 3rd third-century. He is believed to be the [[patron saint|protector ]] of travellers travelers and is commemorated by the church Church on [[May 9]].

== History ==Saint St. Christopher lived in Lycia , under the reign of the Roman emperor Decius (reigned 249-251) , and is considered one of the 14 holy helperswas at first named ''Reprobus'' before being [[baptism|baptised]]. Almost nothing Not much is known about him, but there are, however, many legends connected to him.

The Orthodox tradition describes the saint as a tall man of tremendous strength who made a living carrying people across a raging river. One day his passenger was a child who grew so heavy as they crossed the river that he St. Christopher feared they would both drown. Christopher He was amazed that such a small child could overcome someone so mighty as himself. The child then revealed that he was [[Christ]], and the heaviness was caused by the weight of the world which he bore.

Although so little is known about the life of St. Christopher, there is so much to be gathered even from his experience of carrying Christ across the river. His story represents, to the Orthodox Christian, a message of hope that all Christians bear, and are called to bear and to “put on” "put on" Christ, by taking up the crosses, given to each of us, in our lives. Christopher bore his “cross” "cross" (Christ himself) and eventually suffered martyrdom for the faith, fulfilling the commandment of Christ, “He "He who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of me.” " ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] . 10:38).

The Greek word "Christophoros" translates into "St. Christopher came to martyrdom under the emperor who wanted to kill him for his faith. Christopher was first asked to renounce Christ-bearer" and . When he isrefused, thereforehe was tied to an iron stool, depicted in [[icon]]ography as carrying a childwhich was placed over fire. The stool melted, whobut St. Christopher was unharmed. The emperor then ordered archers to shoot him, but all the arrows missed. One archer shot the emperor in turnthe eye. Outraged, is carrying a globe. Some people hold the superstition emperor then ordered that if you see an icon of the saint be decapitated. St. Christopher you cannot die on that day's severed head told the emperor to put some of his blood in his wounded eye, and when the emperor did so, this superstition is not supported by orthodoxyhis sight was restored and he [[conversion|converted]] to Christianity.

The Saint came to martyrGreek word "Christophoros" translates into "Christ-bearer" and he is, under the emperor who wanted to kill him for his faith. Christopher was first asked to renounce Christ. The saint was tied to an iron stooltherefore, which was placed over fire. The stool melteddepicted in [[iconography]] as carrying a child, but St. Christopher was unharmed. The emperor then ordered archers to shoot himwho, but all the arrows missed. One archer shot the emperor in the eyeturn, is carrying a globe. Outraged, Some people hold the emperor then ordered superstition that the saint be decapitated. if you see an [[icon]] of St. Christopher's severed head told you cannot die on that day; this superstition is not supported by the emperor to put some of his blood in his wounded eye, and when the emperor did so he got his sight back, and so convertedOrthodox Church.

"Cynocephalus " is a Greek word, literally meaning “dog"dog-head”head. What makes Christopher unique, is that there " There are some rare icons that identify depict this martyr with the head of a dog. Such images may carry echoes of the Egyptian dog-headed god, Anubius ; and Christopher pictured with a dog's head, is not generally supported by the Orthodox churchChurch. However, these images have made him especially popular among the [[Roman Catholics Catholic]]s who have created many stories to explain his ‘cynocephalus’ "cynocephalatic" appearance.{{citation}}

The His [[relics and ]], including the head of the Saint saint, are being held on the island of Rab in Croatia.

== Hymn Hymns==[[Kontakion of St. Christopher, ]] (Tone 4 ):Your physique was overwhelming and your face horrifying. You willingly suffered trauma from your own people. Men and women tried to arouse consuming fires of passion in you, but instead they followed you to your martyrdom. You are our strong protector, o great martyr Christopher!

Troparian of St. Christopher, [[Troparion]] (Tone 4):In beautiful garments woven from thy blood thou dost stand before the King of Heaven. For thou dost chant the Thrice-holy hymn with Angels and Martyrs. By thy supplications save thy servants.

== Notes External links==<references*[http:/>/ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101334 Martyr Christopher of Lycia] ([[OCA]])*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints/47 Christopher the Martyr of Lycea] ([[GOARCH]])*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=May&day=9 The Holy Martyr Christopher] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')