Name day
Christopher: Name Day and Patron Saint
Christopher keeps the name day on 9 May, or 22 May on the Old Calendar: the feast of St Christopher.
- Patron saint
- St Christopher
- New Calendar
- 9 May
- Old Calendar
- 22 May
- Next name day
- 9 May 2027 (New Calendar) · 22 May 2027 (Old Calendar)
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of May
The patron saint: St Christopher
Kept on 9 May, or 22 May on the Old Calendar · Martyrdom (with Sts Callinica and Aquilina)
St Christopher, first called Reprebus, was a man of huge stature and strength in the third century, said by some to come from the Canaanites and by others from a fierce people called the “dog-heads.” He asked God to make him plain of face so as to tempt no one. Sent with 200 soldiers to the emperor Decius, he went willingly; along the way his staff blossomed and bread was multiplied, and the soldiers were baptized with him by St Babylas of Antioch. Before the emperor he could not be shaken. Two women sent to seduce him, Callinica and Aquilina, instead became Christians and martyrs. After many torments he was beheaded in Lycia about 250. His name means “Christ-bearer.” Orthodox Christians pray to him for protection on their journeys and in times of contagious disease.
What the faithful pray for
- safe journeys and protection on the road
- deliverance in times of contagious disease and epidemics
- strength to carry Christ in one’s life
- the transformation of a rough or wayward heart
- the conversion of unbelievers
- courage in confessing the faith
Protection
- from dangers on journeys
- from contagious diseases
- from sudden death (Western medieval usage)
- from temptation
Miracles
Other saints named Christopher
St Christopher of Gazara
Kept on 18 August, or 31 August on the Old Calendar
St Christopher of Palestine
Kept on 30 August, or 12 September on the Old Calendar
Martyrs Christopher
Kept on 19 April, or 2 May on the Old Calendar
Christopher in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Christopher, Kristopher, Christoph, Cristopher, Christoffer | Chris, Kris, Topher, Kit |
| Greek | Χριστόφορος, Christoforos, Christophoros | Φόρης |
| Russian | Христофор, Khristofor, Hristofor | |
| Serbian | Христофор, Hristofor | |
| Romanian | Cristofor | |
| Spanish | Cristóbal | |
| Italian | Cristoforo |
An icon for Christopher
We don't carry an icon of St Christopher yet. Ask for it below, and we will write to you when it is in.
Closest to it
Folding diptychSt Nicholas the Wonderworker & Guardian Angel
Kept on the same day, 9 May$99$69
Folding diptychSt Matthew the Apostle & Guardian Angel
Also prayed to for drivers and the road$99$69
Folding diptychChrist (Zvenigorod Saviour) & Vladimir Mother of God
Christ and the Mother of God keep every Christian home$99$69
For every name: the Guardian Angel, given at baptism
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you: Consecration, $49.
A name-day gift for Christopher
Name-Day Gift Set $213$149
A patron saint's folding diptych chosen by first name, a stainless steel crucifix and a prayer rope, in a gift box with a card giving the saint's life and feast day.
The St Nicholas the Wonderworker & Guardian Angel Folding Diptych is chosen, for the Guardian Angel every Orthodox Christian receives at baptism, and the name is filled in.
Other names with this saint
Questions
When is Christopher’s name day?
Christopher keeps the name day on 9 May on the New Calendar and on 22 May on the Old Calendar, the feast of St Christopher.
Who is the patron saint of Christopher?
St Christopher. St Christopher, first called Reprebus, was a man of huge stature and strength in the third century, said by some to come from the Canaanites and by others from a fierce people called the “dog-heads.” He asked God to make him plain of face so as to tempt no one.
How is Christopher written in other languages?
Greek: Χριστόφορος (Christoforos), Russian: Христофор (Khristofor), Serbian: Христофор (Hristofor), Romanian: Cristofor, Spanish: Cristóbal and Italian: Cristoforo. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Christopher?
We don’t carry an icon of St Christopher yet, and you can ask for one on this page. Every Orthodox Christian has a Guardian Angel from baptism, so the Name-Day Gift Set ($149) with the Guardian Angel diptych is always fitting.
More about name days
- Name Days Explained: What They Are, How Families Keep Them, and Gifts
A name day is the feast of the saint whose name you carry. Here is how to find yours on either calendar, how Greek and Russian families keep it, and what to give.
- Orthodox Patron Saint: How to Find Yours (by Name, Day or Choice)
Your Orthodox patron saint is the saint whose name you were given at baptism. Here is how to find yours by name, by the day of your birth or baptism, or by choice, and how to keep the name day.
- Find another name
Sources
- OCA — Martyr Christopher of Lycia, with Martyrs Callinika and Aquilina
- OrthodoxWiki — Christopher of Lycia
- Azbuka very — Мученик Христофор Ликийский
- John Sanidopoulos — posts labeled St. Christopher (The Depiction of Saint Christopher with the Head of a Dog)
- Orthodox Arts Journal — Understanding the Dog-Headed Icon of St Christopher
- Mystagogy Resource Center — Saint Christopher, Carrier of God
- Orthodox Church in America, Lives of the Saints
- eortologio.net, Greek name-day calendar (Εορτολόγιο)
- azbyka.ru, Месяцеслов (the Russian Church's calendar of saints by name)