Holy Martyr Christopher of Guria (16th c.) — August 16 / August 29 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 16 according to the Julian Calendar (August 29 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Christopher of Guria.

No biographical account of the Holy Martyr Christopher of Guria has come down to us. His name enters the church calendar of Georgia from the sixteenth century.

As a rule, the Holy Church always keeps with tenderness the memory of those who by a holy life or by a martyr’s death have proved their love for God, and whom God Himself has glorified with heavenly signs and with various miracles. Their lives and their labors are written down and handed on by word of mouth; in the first centuries the Liturgy was celebrated over their graves. Churches are built in their names, or their holy relics are brought into newly built churches; hymns and fitting prayers are written for them, and a particular day is appointed for their remembrance — most often the day of their departure from this world, that is, of their standing before the Lord.

Sadly, there are also saints of whom only the names are known, together with the day of their commemoration. The harshness of the times and our own negligence have given their lives over to the depths of forgetfulness.

Since the sixteenth century the Apostolic Church of Georgia has commemorated each year on August 16 (August 29) Saint Christopher of Guria, of whom this alone is known: that he labored in Georgia and ended his life as a martyr for Christ.