Was he or wasn't he? Officially removed from the calendar of the Church, he remains a popular patron for travellers. Allegedly put to death in Bithynia (in Turkey) in the 3rd. Century, he is one of the so-called 'Fourteen Holy Helpers'. His story is contained in the great medieval collection the 'Golden Legend'. This makes him a man of colossal build who was converted to Christ, taught by a hermit, and given the duty of helping travellers cross a river. One day he took a little child who weighed so much that the saint was forced down. The child revealed himself as Christ, who had loaded Christopher (="Christ-bearer") with the weight of the world Christopher was told to plant his staff in the ground, and like Aaron's staff [Numbers 17:8] it budded and bore flowers and dates. Wall-paintings of the giant Christopher were popular in churches; placed on the north wall opposite the door, they were the first thing one saw on entering. Legend had it that anyone who saw an image of Christopher would not die that day. Hence the popularity of the Christopher medal in cars, bearing the inscription "Behold St. Christopher, and go thy way in safety". No matter what the official calendar of the church may say, as road travel becomes more frantic and cars butt each other ever more vigorously on the M25, Christopher medals will still sell.