The icon is the image we turn to in our prayers. This is a kind of mediator between us and the saint depicted on the canvas. And, probably, for Orthodox believers who have just set foot on the spiritual path, it will be surprising that there is a certain martyr Christopher Pseglavets, depicted on icons with the head of a dog.
Life
Saint 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 those around him with the sinful thoughts, he prayed to the Lord to disfigure his face. God did as Christopher asked, crowning his body with the head of a dog.
Before baptism, the saint bore the name Reprev, which meant "unfit". Christopher professed faith in Jesus Christ, while still not initiated into the great sacrament. Many people openly protested against his words and even beat him. Christopher humbly endured all the beatings and bullying, continuing to bring the faith of Christ into the world.
To Emperor Decius
Once Saint Christopher for another sermon in the name of Jesus Christ was beaten by a certain Bacchus, serving with the emperor. To the surprise of the warrior, the saint endured the beatings with humility. After that, a whole army of 200 came to Christopher.man and led the innocent young man to the emperor. Unprecedented miracles happened on the way to the palace: the cane on which Christopher leaned suddenly blossomed. The road to the emperor was long, and soon the soldiers were hungry. But there was not enough bread for everyone, so many remained hungry. Christopher, like Jesus Christ himself, performed a miracle - he multiplied food so that everyone was satisfied with it.
The army that accompanied the saint was amazed at these miracles. All the soldiers believed in Christ and decided to be baptized, which they did when they returned home.
Brutal torment
The emperor, who was looking forward to the return of the army with a 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 deny the Lord. To do this, he sent two girls who were supposed to trick Christopher into sacrificing to the pagan gods. But in communion with the saint, harlots once believed in the true Lord. They were converted to Christianity.
When they came to the emperor, the women proclaimed themselves believers in Jesus Christ, for which they were executed. The soldiers who accompanied Christopher were also killed for converting to Christianity. Decius ordered the saint himself to be thrown into a red-hot box. Christopher, by the grace of God, did not feel any pain. The emperor, beside himself with rage, continued torturing and tormenting the saint. In the end, the sufferer's head was cut off.
Despite his short life, Saint Christopher Pseglavetswas able to convert thousands of idolaters to Christianity. Many, having learned about his heavy death and unharmed during the torment, wished to be baptized in the name of Christ.
After the execution of the saint, one of the bishops was able to take the body of Christopher for burial by bribing the soldiers. The death of the 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 illness caused him a lot of pain and torment. At that moment, Decius realized that the murder of Christopher was to blame. The exhausted emperor called his wife to his bed and asked for a particle of the body of the newly deceased. Decius was sure that this was how he could be cured and get rid of terrible suffering and torment. The warriors were able to collect the land on which the blood of the saint was shed. They mixed it with water and gave the emperor to drink. After taking a few sips, Decius died. This is how the cruel emperor ended his existence. His torment was stopped by St. Christopher Pseglavets, whose life has remained for centuries.
Another version of the appearance of an unusual image
Some researchers believe that the existence of such a strange icon for 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 early times were pagans who worshiped many gods. These idols were often depicted with the head of a bird, cat, horse, etc. The image of St. Christopher combined the features of the Orthodox faith and echoes of paganism. This also has itsexplanation: the Copts, wishing to spread the Christian religion on Egyptian soil, carried with them the icon of St. Christopher. Thus, the transition from idolatry to true religion was much easier for southerners.
Icons of St. Christopher
The Orthodox and Catholic churches interpret the appearance of this saint differently. 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 cynocephalus, in which all people were born with similar features. On the other hand, the icon of St. Christopher with the head of a dog should be perceived symbolically. At the same time, his horrific appearance is seen as a sign of former idolatry and cruelty.
A slightly different attitude towards Christopher has formed in the Catholic Church. Translated from English, his name means "bearer of Christ." That is why in Western Christian icons the saint is depicted as a giant carrying the baby Jesus on his shoulders. One of the chronicles, compiled by a monk of the Dominican Republic in the distant 13th century, says that once the holy martyr Christopher, not yet baptized, carried a baby across the river, which seemed to him an unbearable burden. The saint felt as if he was holding the whole earth on his broad shoulders. Christopher's conjectures did not disappoint: he suffered Jesus Christ himself, who appeared to him in the form of a child.
The image of the giant saint formed 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 sculptures of Christopher in templesEurope. Similar shrines have been preserved in France, in the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It was believed that a believer should pray at least once a day in front of this sculpture. This saves from sudden death and other misfortunes.
During the Reformation, sculptures of the giant saint were removed from the outer walls of cathedrals and temples in almost all corners of Europe.
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 robes or in armor. Some cathedrals and temples of Byzantium were decorated with such frescoes.
Miracles
The icon of St. Christopher, on which he is depicted with a dog's head, arouses the greatest interest among many. The most ancient icon of the saint is considered to be an image dated to the 6th century. On this icon, the martyr is depicted next to another saint - George the Victorious. Both youths are dressed in armor and hold spears. Between them is a cross.
Special veneration of St. Christopher in Russia fell on the 16th century. At the same time, people prayed before the icons of the martyr, depicted as both a warrior and a cynocephalus. It was believed that in ancient times Christopher protected Russian cities from all sorts of misfortunes, including diseases. It seems surprising that the epidemic in Moscow ended, which coincided with the start of the construction of a temple in the Kremlin in honor of this martyr. At the same time, in Novgorod, the contagious disease began to recede after the construction of a church in honor of St. Christopher.
Surviving Images
Manyancient 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, then you can see one of the doors of the iconostasis of the Trinity Church, located in the Arkhangelsk region, on which the icon of Christopher is depicted. These masterpieces are interesting in that they depict the martyr in full growth and with a dog's head.
The Historical Museum has preserved a small icon of the saint, which was in a private collection. On it, Christopher, dressed in armor and a red cloak, prays before the Lord God, who is in heaven and looks at His Saint. The saint appears before us as a beautiful young man, and not an ugly cynocephalus. It seems that this image is not a picture of an external, but an internal state, because Christopher's soul was so beautiful, pure and all-encompassing.
Decision to change the icon
Saint Christopher was widely revered in Russia until the 18th century. It was at this time that the question arose in the country of how the martyr should be represented on the icons. Some protested against his image with the head of a dog, considering it absolutely unacceptable, while others were already used to such an image. In this regard, such icons remained with the Russian population for a long time.
Everything was decided during the reign of Peter I. The Holy Synod ruled that such images, contrary to human nature, are obscene, and therefore the original image of Christopher was replaced by a beautiful young man in armor. At the same time, the legislaturenevertheless advised not to make such tough decisions regarding icons widely revered by the people.
The well-known saint Dmitry of Rostov, who lived at that time, was categorically against the depiction of Christopher in the form of a cynocephalus. The same opinion was shared by Metropolitan Anthony, who turned to the Holy Synod with a request to remake the icon of the great martyr, depicting him with a human head. The petitions of the clergy were unsuccessful. Small icons and images continued to be successfully sold in all church shops.
And only in some cathedrals and churches skillful icon painters corrected the images of Christopher Pseglavets. Traces of such restoration in these temples can be seen even now - on the halo of the saint of God one can see the line from the corrected face of the dog.
It is worth noting that after the 18th century, the holy martyr Christopher was depicted not only with a dog's head, but also with a horse's head. One of these icons is now kept in Russia, in the Museum of Religion. Some researchers believe that the new image of the great martyr is connected with the inability of the icon painters to draw the head of a dog, although such an argument seems unconvincing to many.
Honoring Christopher in other countries
In the Catholic Church, the saint's day is celebrated on July 24th. 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 venerate St. Christopher and celebrate his patronal feast.
The relics of the saint, once kept inByzantium, 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, the Croats named one of the coastal fortresses.
In the Western Christian religion, Christopher belongs to the patron saints of travelers. It is for this reason that the martyr, who officially disappeared from the list of God's saints, is revered by sailors, taxi drivers, machinists. In Russia, Saint Christopher is the patron saint of drivers. And in some European countries there are separate centers specializing in the production of medallions intended for travelers.
The coins, which are often placed in a car, have an inscription that says that whoever believes in this martyr will not die in a car accident. This is how Saint Christopher takes care of us. An amulet created in his honor would have similar power if one sincerely believes in the martyr's intercession.
Through the prayers of St. Christopher, he is able to heal from toothache and alleviate the condition of a patient with epilepsy. A martyr can save a person from a lightning strike, from a contagious disease. Merchants and gardeners often turn to Christopher in prayers.
Some settlements and even islands are under the protection of the martyr. This is a city in Croatia on the island of Rab, Roermond, located in the Netherlands, Vilnius and others.
Patron of Lithuania
Saint 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, hedepicted as a giant. It was this sculpture that was installed in the middle of the last century on the territory of the Church of St. Nicholas. One of the schools and the main orchestra of Vilnius were also named after Christopher.
In Lithuania, the martyr is the patron of creative people - artists, painters, singers, philanthropists, etc. One of the country's main music competitions is named after Christopher. The coveted prize is a small sculpture of a saint. This award is considered very honorable in Lithuania.
Christopher 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 project of one of the Jesuits, since the building in its style is very different from the rest of the temples of Havana. The interior decoration is made up of frescoes depicting the Last Supper and the Dormition of the Queen of Heaven. The Church of St. Christopher keeps within its walls a statue of the patron of the temple, the creation of which dates back to the 17th century.
Monastery in honor of the martyr Christopher
This complex is abandoned. Located in Egypt, it sheltered several old nuns within its 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 Christopher, remembering his torment in the name of Christ.
Saint Christopher - the patron saint of drivers
This martyr was at first considered the protector of travelers only in the Catholic Church. After all, it isfrom there came a version about the existence of a giant who carried people through a stormy river stream. It is believed that at one time the holy martyr Christopher Pesieglavets lived on the coast as a hermit, occasionally helping people to cross to the other side. It was then that Christ appeared to him in the form of a child, whom the martyr carried across the river. There is an opinion that it was Jesus who gave the hermit the name Christopher - "carrying Christ".
At first, the saint was especially revered by sailors. With the advent of land transport - horse-drawn carts, and then cars - Christopher became a talisman for motorists, as well as for those whose work is associated with carrying heavy loads - pickers, loaders and others.
Medallions
At present, the sale of amulets consecrated in honor of this martyr has become very popular. Of course, it is not forbidden to purchase them and hang them in the car, but at the same time you need to remember that it is not the medallion itself that is saving, but your faith. If we treat such things from the point of view of fetishism, then Orthodoxy is out of the question here. Such a worldview is very close to paganism, when people literally deified wooden idols. Therefore, before acquiring such things, soberly assess your attitude towards religion. If you really have a saving flame of faith in your heart, you can safely acquire such a medallion.
Prayer Appeal
You can ask for help from a saint through prayer. It has a special power if you call on the Higher powers with faith and sincerity. Prayer to Saint Christopher contains an appeal to the main Creator of our world- Lord. In these lines, we affirm His omnipotence, asking Him to help us get home safely. 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, calling him to pray for our souls and salvation.
It is worth noting that we pray to the saints so that they would be our intercessors in the face of God. It is wrong to think that any pleaser 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 Christopher's life story
Some people, after getting acquainted with the life of a saint, have separate questions about the reality of his existence. Of course, the main topic for such controversy is the appearance of Christopher. It is quite possible that the attribution of ugliness to him is nothing but a mistake of the translators. Christopher came from the genus cananeus, which was transcribed as "canine". It is possible that this word should have been translated as "Canaanite", which meant one of the Mediterranean provinces. Then it turns out that Christopher in his appearance was the most ordinary person who showed unshakable faith in the Lord.
The researchers also found some historical inconsistencies. For example, Emperor Decius headed the Roman state for only 2 years, while in his life it is written that he executed the saint of God in the fourth year of his reign. There is an assertion that St. Christopher Psoglavets was martyred by another emperor - Maximinus Daza. Some are surethat the word "Decius" meant not a specific name, but an allegory. "Dectios" in translation into Russian means "receptacle" (evil forces).
However, Saint Christopher, whose life raises a number of doubts, is still revered by believers for his miracles performed during earthly existence and after death. And even the Vatican's ban on the mention of Christopher in the church calendar could not affect the attitude towards him.
