Martyr Christopher of Lycia

Christopher was martyred c. 250 under Emperor Decius, probably in Lycia in Asia Minor. Dimitry of Rostov notes that a 'strange and unusual' story is told of him: that he came from a land of savage people, had the head of a dog and at first could not speak, until an angel touched his lips. His first name, the story says, was Reprobus.

According to his Passion, he rebuked the persecutors of Christians, was baptized by Bishop Babylas of Antioch and given the name Christopher, 'Christ-bearer', and converted two women whom the emperor had sent to seduce him; they were martyred too. After many tortures he was beheaded.