St Christopher (bearer of Christ) feast day in the Roman Calendar is 25th July which in our Calendar is the feast of the Apostles James and John, so we are commemorating him today.

Christopher was a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd-century Roman emperor Decius (r. 249–251), or alternatively under the emperor Maximinus Daia (r. 308–313). The earliest known historical reference to St Christophorus being a stone inscription in the ruins of a church in ancient Chalcedon. His epic story, has became a ‘Golden Legend’, passed down through the centuries.

He was a Giant, 5 cubits (7.5 feet (2.3 m)) tall, with a fearsome face. While serving the king of Canaan, he took it into his head to serve "the greatest king there was". He went to the king reputed to be the greatest, but one day saw the king cross himself at mention of the devil. On learning the king feared the devil, he left to look for the devil. He found a band of marauders, one of whom said he was the devil, so Christopher decided to serve him. But then saw his new master avoid a wayside cross and learned the devil feared Christ, so asked people where to find Christ. He met a hermit who instructed him in the Christian faith. Christopher asked him how he could serve Christ. When the hermit suggested fasting and prayer, Christopher said he was unable to do that so the hermit suggested that because of his size and strength Christopher could serve Christ by helping people who were dieing, in attempting to cross a dangerous river. The hermit promised this service would be pleasing to Christ.

After Christopher had done this for a time, a little child asked him to take him across the river. During the crossing, the river became swollen and the child seemed as heavy as lead, so heavy Christopher could scarcely carry him and found himself in great difficulty. When he finally reached the other side, he said, "You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were." The child replied: "You had on your shoulders not only the whole world but Him who made it. I am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work." The child then vanished.

Christopher later visited Lycia to comfort the Christians who were being martyred. Brought before the king, he refused to sacrifice to pagan gods. The king tried to win him by riches and sent 2 beautiful women to tempt him. Christopher converted them to Christianity, as he had thousands in the city. The king ordered his death. He was beheaded after other methods failed. Christopher became the patron saint of travellers. In the 20th century, he had lost none of his popularity, and the reduction of his feast to optional local observance by the Vatican in 1969 brought vigorous complaints.

BORN: Unknown, Canaan (Canaanite)

DIED: 3rd century. Asia Minor