Saint Christopher (whose name translates to "Christ-Bearer") was a man of large and muscular stature living during the reign of the emperor Decius. Saint Christopher made a living by carrying people across a river on his back, due to his large size. One night, Saint Christopher was approached by a Child to cross the river. Saint Christopher took the Child on his shoulders and found, as he proceeded across the water, that the Child got heavier. Approaching the middle of the river, Saint Christopher found himself exhausted from carrying the Child, to his surprise. Upon reaching the far shore, the Child told the Saint that he had just carried all the sins of the world on his shoulders. The Child then ordered Saint Christopher to plant his walking stick in the ground. The Saint did as commanded and the walking stick soon became a giant tree. It was at this moment that Saint Christopher realized that the Child he bore was Christ Himself, the King whom he had vowed to serve. For this reason, in the Holy Icon of Saint Christopher, we see him carrying a young Christ over his shoulders and in his hands a walking stick - many Icons depict the stick with branches and leaves, foreshadowing the tree it would become. Saint Christopher was later beheaded in martyrdom for the Faith, when he refused to be swayed by the pagans. Saint Christopher is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on May 9. *** This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.
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