Archives

St Christopher’s Day in Busturia (Bizkaia), 2019. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.

Saint Christopher is the patron saint of truckers and drivers in general, and his feast day is celebrated on 10 July. But what is the connection between them and the saint?

There is a very well-known legend, which Gurutzi Arregi was told by Balbina Arrese, whom she interviewed in Busturia, and which she recorded in her book entitled Ermitas de Bizkaia [Hermitages of Bizkaia]; other people from the same locality told us the same legend more recently in 2022. The legend is also widely shared around the world:

The legend goes that saint Christopher was a giant who spent his time helping people cross rivers, back in the time when there were no bridges. Once a small, but very heavy child wanted to cross the river. Christopher told him: “Not even the whole world is heavier than you”. To which the child responded: “You are not only carrying the world, but its creator. I am Jesus Christ, whom you are serving through your work”.

 (more…)