Christopher

Holy Venerable Martyr Christopher was born in 1795 at Adrianople in Eastern Thrace. His name in the world was Christodoulos. He was put to death for Christ on 16 April 1818, at Adrianople itself.

While still young, he was tricked by an Armenian renegade into converting to Islam. He realised his mistake, repented and confessed. At nineteen he came to the Monastery of Dionysiou on the Holy Mountain, where he lived four years in obedience and compunction. With the blessing of his elder Stephen, he returned to Adrianople. There, before the judge, he renounced Islam and boldly confessed Christ.

On 16 April 1818, the Tuesday of Bright Week, at about eight in the morning, he was beheaded while chanting "Christ is Risen". He is commemorated on 16 April, according to the calendar of the Church of Greece (new style), and belongs to the synaxis of the new martyrs after the fall of Constantinople.