As a boy Christopher was not a Christian, and his name was not Christopher; it was Reprobus. Very strong and an excellent marksman, young Reprobus knew he would never be happy until he found the greatest king in the world and undertook to serve him. He set off on his great search. After many months Reprobus found a great king and began to serve him. But by and by he discovered that this great king was afraid of the Devil. So off he went to seek the Devil. He found him, and enlisted in his service-but then found out that the Devil was afraid of the God of the Christians But when Reprobus learned that the Christian God had conquered death itself and now reigned as King of Heaven, he knew he had found the greatest King of all. He was baptized and received the name Christopher, or "Christ-bearer." He would joyfully serve his King by guiding travelers across a treacherous river. One night Christopher carried a little boy across the river; amazingly, despite his small size, the child became tremendously heavy. The little boy was the Christ Child, carrying the weight of the world within Himself. Christopher continued to serve God. Finally he gave his very life as a martyr for Jesus Christ. Over the centuries people have remembered him best for carrying the Christ Child across the river. Thus St. Christopher has become the beloved Patron Saint of Travelers.