On the 9th of May the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Christopher

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

On the 9th of May the Orthodox Church
commemorates the Holy Martyr
CHRISTOPHER.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

MADE comely with garments wove from thy venerable blood,
thou standest before the Lord, the King of Heaven and earth,
O famed Martyr Christopher. With the choirs of Angels and
the Martyrs thou chantest, singing the thrice-holy hymn and
most awesome praises. Thus, by thine intercessions with
God, save us, thy worthless slaves.

Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone

THOU who wast terrifying both in strength and in countenance,
for thy Creator’s sake thou didst surrender thyself willingly to
them that sought thee; for thou didst persuade both them and
the women that sought to arouse in thee the fire of lust, and they
followed thee in the path of Martyrdom. And in torments thou
didst prove to be courageous. Wherefore, we have gained thee
as our great protector, O great Christopher.

SAINT CHRISTOPHER was at first named Reprobus. Seeing the Christians persecuted, he rebuked the tyrants for their cruelty. Soldiers were sent to bring him to appear before the ruler; but he converted them to Christ, and with them was baptized, receiving the name Christopher (Gk. Χριστόφορος) which means "CHRIST-BEARER." After he appeared before the ruler, he was imprisoned and two harlots were sent to seduce him, but he converted them also, and encouraged them in their martyrdom. He was subjected to torture and finally beheaded in the days of the Roman pagan emperor Decius.

Many marvelous and mythical things are said about him out of ignorance and superstition, one of which is that it is impossible for one to die suddenly from some unexpected cause on the day on which one looks at the Saint’s icon. This is the origin of that proverb that is quoted in various quarters: "If on Christopher thou shouldst gaze, thou shalt safely wend life’s ways." The etymology of his name, which means "Christ-bearer," has undoubtedly moved iconographers to depict him carrying the Infant Jesus on his shoulders; it is completely erroneous, however, to depict him, as some uninformed iconographers do, having the head of a dog, became of a statement in his life that he was dog-faced, by which is meant that his countenance was exceedingly frightful to look upon.

A great Wonderworker, he is especially venerated in Spain. HIs help is invoked, particularly against infectious illnesses, and great pestilence. He was martyred for Christ and glorified in 249 A.D. [Resources: The Great Horologion and The Prologue from Ochrid]

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

__________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in Our Lord’s Glorious and Life-Giving Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George