Probably every Vilnius resident, when asked who is the patron saint of Vilnius, would name Saint Christopher. Yet not everyone knows his story.
Legend has it that in the Roman Empire around the 3rd century, there was a fierce-looking strongman named Reprobus. At first, like most people at the time, he was originally a pagan. When he began believing in God, Reprobus wanted to serve God by doing good to people, Reprobus began to carry anyone who wanted to across a torrential river – not on a raft or a boat, but on his shoulders.
One day, he had to carry a small child that proved so heavy that the giant barely made it to the other bank. When asked who he was, the child replied that he was Christ Himself, and that the unbearable weight was the sins of the whole world. After this event, Reprobus was baptised and given the Greek name of Christopher, the Christ, or bearer of Christianity.
Exactly when or why St. Christopher appeared on the coat of arms of Vilnius is not known, but today we recognise St Christopher as the patron saint of Vilnius. The current coat of arms of Vilnius created by the artist Arvydas Každailis was adopted on 17 April 1991.
This saint is also considered the patron saint of travellers, gardeners, bookbinders, seafarers, bridge builders and ferrymen; the feast day of St. Christopher Day is celebrated on 25 July.
Follow the route and go in search of the patron saint of Vilnius – you can find a number of his images from different periods in the city.
What you’ll learn/see on the route:
- Which is the oldest sculpture of St Christopher in Vilnius?
- Which building in Vilnius has the highest number of St. Christopher’s?
- Which church has a fresco of St Christopher?
