St. Christopher Pseglavets. Icon of St. Christopher. Temple of St. Christopher

The icon is the image to which we refer in our prayers. This is a kind of intermediary between us and the saint, depicted on the canvas. And, probably, for those Orthodox believers who have set foot on the spiritual path, it will be surprising that there is a martyr Christopher Pseglavets, depicted on icons with the head of a dog.

Life

St. Christopher Pseglavets was born in the 3rd century AD in the Roman Empire. According to legend, he was so handsome that, not wanting to tempt sinful thoughts of others, he prayed to the Lord to disfigure his face. God did as Christopher asked, crowning his body with a dog's head.

Before the baptism, the saint bore the name Repet, which meant "unfit." Christopher professed faith in Jesus Christ, still not initiated into the great mystery. Many people openly protested against his words and even beat him. Christopher with humility carried off all the beatings and mockeries, continuing to bring the faith of Christ to the world.

To the Emperor Decius

Once St. Christopher for another sermon in the name of Jesus Christ was beaten by a certain Bacchus serving at the emperor. To the surprise of the warrior, the saint suffered beatings with humility. After this, a whole army of 200 men came to Christophorus and led an innocent youth to the emperor. On the way to the palace, unprecedented miracles took place: the cane, on which Christopher leant, suddenly blossomed. The road to the emperor was long, and soon the warriors wished to eat. But there was not enough bread for everyone, so many were hungry. Christopher, like Jesus Christ Himself, did a miracle - he multiplied the food so that everyone was satisfied with it in plenty.

The army that accompanied the saint was amazed at these miracles. All the warriors believed in Christ and decided to be baptized, which they did after returning home.

Cruel torment

The Emperor, eagerly awaiting the return of the army with the preacher of the faith of Christ, met Christopher with horror - he had never seen such an ugly appearance.

But this did not stop Decius from forcing the saint to renounce the Lord. To this end, he sent two girls who, by fraudulent means, had to force Christopher to sacrifice to the pagan gods. But in communion with the saint, once the harlots believed in the true Lord. They were converted to Christianity.

Arriving at the emperor, women proclaimed themselves believers in Jesus Christ, for which they were executed. The warriors who accompanied Christopher were also killed for converting to Christianity. The most holy Decius ordered to throw in a red-hot box. Christopher, by the grace of God, felt no pain. The Emperor, who was beside himself with rage, continued the tortures and torments of the saint. In the end, the sufferer was chopped off.

Despite his short life, St. Christopher Pseglavets could convert thousands of idolaters into Christianity. Many, having learned of his grave death and unharmed during the torment, desired to be baptized in the name of Christ.

After the execution of the saint, one of the bishops was able to take Christopher's body for burial, bribing the soldiers. The death of a saint of God had a bad effect on the emperor himself: he fell ill with a strange illness, from which he could not be cured. This ailment gave him a lot of pain and anguish. At that moment, Deci realized that it was all due to the murder of Christopher. The exhausted emperor called his wife to his bed and asked for a piece of the body of the newly unrepresented. Deck was sure that this is how he can be cured and get rid of terrible suffering and suffering. The soldiers were able to assemble the land on which the saint's blood was shed. They mixed it with water and gave the emperor a drink. After taking a few sips, Deci died. That's how the cruel emperor ended his existence. His torment was stopped by St. Christopher Pseglavets, whose life has remained in the ages.

Another version of the appearance of an unusual image

Some researchers believe that the existence of such a strange icon for the Orthodox believers, in which the saint is depicted with a dog's head, is associated with the activities of the Coptic Egyptians who believed in Christ. As you know, the inhabitants of this country in the early days were pagans, worshiping many gods. These idols were often depicted with the head of a bird, a cat, a horse, etc. The image of St. Christopher combined the features of the Orthodox faith and echoes of paganism. This also has its own explanation: the Copts, wishing to spread the Christian religion on the Egyptian land, carried with them the icon of St. Christopher. Thus, the transition from idolatry to true religion was much easier for the southern inhabitants.

Icons of St. Christopher

The Orthodox and Catholic churches interpret the appearance of this saint in different ways. Until the 17th century, the martyr was depicted with the head of a dog. In Russia it was believed that the saint of God came from a kind of cinephiles, in which all people were born with similar characteristics. On the other hand, the icon of St. Christopher with the head of the dog should be perceived symbolically. At the same time, his terrifying appearance is seen as a sign of his former idolatry and cruelty.

In the Catholic Church formed a somewhat different attitude towards Christopher. Translated from English, his name means "the bearer of Christ." That is why, on Western Christian icons, the saint is portrayed as a giant carrying the infant Jesus on his shoulders. One of the chronicles, compiled by the monk of the Dominican Republic in the distant XIII century, says that one day the holy martyr Christopher, while not yet baptized, carried through the small river that seemed to him an unbearable burden. The saint felt himself as if he was holding all the earth on his broad shoulders. Christopher's conjectures did not disappoint: he suffered on himself Jesus Christ, who appeared to him in the image of a child.

The image of the saint-giant became the basis of many foreign works of literature, music and painting of the Middle Ages. Also in the 18th century there was a tendency to erect Christopher's sculptures in the temples of Europe. Such relics were preserved in France, in the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was believed that a believer should pray at least once a day before this sculpture. It saves from sudden death and other misfortunes.

During the Reformation, the sculptures of the giant saint were removed almost from all corners of Europe from the outer walls of cathedrals and temples.

Those who saw the western and Russian icon of Christopher, will not be able to recognize the saint on the canvases of Byzantine icon painters. On them he is depicted as a young man in patrician attire or in armor. Such frescoes were decorated with some cathedrals and temples of Byzantium.

Miracles

The most interesting for many is precisely the icon of St. Christopher, on which he is depicted with the head of a dog. The most ancient icon of the saint is the image dated to the 6th century. On this icon the martyr is depicted next to another saint - George the Victorious. Both boys are dressed in armor and are holding spears. Between them is a cross.

Special veneration of St. Christopher in Russia was in the 16th century. At the same time, people prayed before the icons of the martyr, depicted both as a warrior and as a cinephile. It was believed that in ancient times Christopher defended the Russian cities from all sorts of misfortunes, including diseases. It is surprising that the epidemic stopped in Moscow, coinciding with the construction of a temple in the Kremlin in honor of the martyr. At the same time in Novgorod, a contagious disease began to recede after the construction of a temple in honor of St. Christopher.

Preserved images

Many of the ancient icons of St. Christopher have survived to this day. Some of them are kept in museums and galleries. If you manage to visit the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, you will be able to see one of the doors of the iconostasis of the Trinity Church, located in the Arkhangelsk region, which depicts the icon of Christopher. These masterpieces are interesting because the martyr is represented on them in full growth and with a dog's head.

In the Historical Museum remained a small icon of the saint, who was in a private collection. On it, Christopher, clothed in armor and a red cloak, prays before the Lord God, who is in heaven and looks at His Savior. The saint appears before us as a beautiful young man, and not an ugly film critic. It seems that this image is not a picture of the external, but of the internal state, for it was such a beautiful, pure and all-embracing Christopher's soul.

The decision to change the icon

St. Christopher was widely revered in Russia until the 18th century. It was at this time in the country that the question arose of how a martyr should be represented on icons. Some protested against his image with the head of the dog, considering it absolutely unacceptable, while others have become accustomed to such an image. In connection with this, such icons remained for a long time with the Russian population.

Everything was decided during the reign of Peter I. The Holy Synod decided that such images, contrary to human nature, are indecent, and therefore the original image of Christopher was replaced by a fine young man in armor. At the same time, the legislative body of state power nevertheless advised not to take such tough decisions on icons widely respected among the people.

At that time, the famous prelate Dmitry Rostov was categorically against the image of Christopher in the form of a cinephile. The same opinion was shared by Metropolitan Anthony, who addressed the Holy Synod with a request to remake the icon of the Great Martyr, portraying it with a human head. The petitions of clergymen were not crowned with success. Small icons and images continued to be sold successfully in all church shops.

And only in individual cathedrals and churches, skilled icon painters corrected images of Christopher Pseglavets. Traces of such restoration in these temples can be seen even now - on the halo of the saint of God the line from the corrected face of the dog can be seen.

It is worth noting that after the 18th century the holy martyr Christopher was depicted not only with the dog, but also with the horse's head. One of these icons is now stored in Russia, in the Museum of Religion. Some researchers believe that the new image of the Great Martyr is connected with the inability of icon painters to paint the dog's head, although many such a argument seems unconvincing.

Veneration of Christopher in other countries

In the Catholic Church, the day of the memory of the saint is celebrated on July 24. It should be noted that this date was excluded from the general calendar of the Vatican in the late 60s of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Europe continue to honor St. Christopher and celebrate his patronal feast.

The relics of the saint, once stored in Byzantium, were taken to one of the cities of Croatia. It was thanks to their miraculous power that the locals were saved from the enemy siege. In honor of the martyr Croats named one of the coastal fortresses.

In the Western Christian religion Christopher belongs to the saints, the patronizing travelers. It is for this reason that the martyr, officially disappeared from the list of saints of God, is revered by sailors, taxi drivers and machinists. In Russia, St. Christopher is the patron of drivers. And in some European countries there are separate centers specializing in the production of medallions intended for travelers.

On coins that are often placed in a car, there is an inscription that says that one who believes in this martyr will not perish in a car crash. This is how St. Christopher takes care of us. The amulet created in his honor will have a similar power if one sincerely believes in the intercession of the martyr.

Through prayers, St. Christopher is able to heal from toothache and alleviate the condition of the patient with epilepsy. A martyr can save a person from a lightning stroke, from a contagious disease. Traders and gardeners often turn to Christopher in prayers.

Some settlements and even islands are protected by a martyr. It is a city in Croatia on the island of Rab, Roermond, located in the Netherlands, Vilnius and others.

The patron of Lithuania

St. Christopher is the guardian of this country. His image can be seen on the coat of arms of Vilnius. As mentioned earlier, in Western Christian culture he is portrayed as a giant. It was this sculpture that was established in the middle of the last century on the territory of St. Nicholas Church. In honor of Christopher was also named one of the schools and the main orchestra of Vilnius.

In Lithuania, the martyr is the patron of creative people - art workers, artists, singers, philanthropists, etc. One of the country's main musical competitions is named after Christopher. The coveted prize is a small sculpture of a saint. This award in Lithuania is considered very honorable.

Christopher's Cathedral in Havana

At the beginning of the 18th century, a temple was built in Cuba in honor of this great martyr. It is still unknown who is the author of this structure. It is believed that the Cathedral of St. Christopher was built according to the design of one of the Jesuits, as the construction of its style is very different from the rest of the temples of Havana. The interior is made up of murals depicting the Last Supper and the Assumption of the Queen of Heaven. The Church of St. Christopher holds in its walls a statue of the patron saint of the temple, the creation of which is attributed to the 17th century.

Monastery in honor of the martyr Christopher

This complex is abandoned. Located in Egypt, he sheltered several old nuns in his walls. Now there are no important shrines in it. But nevertheless, the nuns continue to pray for the whole world to God and the saint Christophorus, remembering his anguish in the name of Christ.

St. Christopher - patron of drivers

This martyr was at first considered a defender of travelers only in the Catholic Church. After all, it was from there that the version came about the existence of a giant carrying people through a stormy river stream. It is believed that at one time the holy martyr Christopher Peseglavets lived on the shore as a hermit, occasionally helping people to move to the other side. It was then that Christ appeared to him in the image of a child, whom the martyr moved across the river. There is an opinion that it was Jesus who gave the hermit the name Christopher - "the bearer of Christ."

At first the saint was especially revered by mariners. With the advent of land transport - horse - drawn carts, and then cars - Christopher became a guard for motorists, as well as for those whose work is associated with heavy loads - pickers, stevedores and others.

Medallions

At present, the sale of amulets consecrated in honor of this martyr has become very popular. Of course, it's not forbidden to buy them and hang them in the car, but you need to remember that it's not the locket itself that saves you, but your faith. If you treat such things from the point of view of fetishism, then about Orthodoxy there can be no question. This world view is very close to paganism, when people literally deified wooden idols. Therefore, before acquiring such things, soberly assess your attitude to religion. If in your heart a saving light of faith really burns, you can safely acquire a similar medallion.

Prayer treatment

You can ask for help from a saint through prayer. It has special power, if you appeal to the Higher Powers with faith and sincerity. Prayer to St. Christopher contains an appeal to the main Creator of our world - the Lord. In these lines, we affirm His omnipotence, asking us to help us safely to get home. In prayer, we appeal to the mercy of God, saying that the Lord is omnipresent and omnipotent. And in the end, we remember the name of the martyr Christopher, urging him to pray for our souls and salvation.

It is worth noting that we are praying to the saints for them to be our protectors in the face of God. It is not right to think that any saint dominates. Any saint is an intermediary between us and the Lord. Therefore, when asking for help, do not forget to pray to God Himself.

Reliability of the life of Christopher

Some people, after acquaintance with the life of the saint, raise certain questions about the reality of his existence. Of course, the main theme for such controversies is the appearance of Christopher. It is possible that attributing it to ugliness is nothing but a mistake by translators. Christopher came from the genus cananeus, which was transcribed as "canine". It is possible that this word had to be translated as "khananite", which meant one of the Mediterranean provinces. Then it turns out that Christopher, by his appearance, was the most ordinary man, who showed an unshakable faith in the Lord.

Researchers also found some historical discrepancies. For example, Emperor Deci headed the Roman state for only 2 years, whereas in the story it is written that he executed a saint of God in the fourth year of his reign. There is a claim that St. Petersbourg Saint Christopher was tortured by another emperor - Maximin Daza. Some believe that the word "Deck" was not a specific name, but an allegory. "Dektios" in translation into Russian means "container" (evil forces).

Nevertheless, St. Christopher, whose life causes a number of doubts, is still revered as believers for his miracles committed during earthly existence and after death. And even the Vatican's ban on mentioning Christopher in the church calendar could not affect the attitude towards him.