Christos-pherein Traditional Cache
Episcodad: Missing again. Decided to archive as it's been in place for over 9 years, and I don't get over to Portsmouth very often these days. Thanks to all who came searching for this one at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church.
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache is placed with permission on the grounds of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, Virginia. Christopher (comes from the Greek words "Christos" (Christ) and "pherein" (to carry) and means "Christ-carrier").
Legend holds that St. Christopher was a Roman of imposing stature, originally named Reprobus. He converted to Christianity in the 3rd century AD, and sought out a Christian hermit to inquire how he could better serve Jesus. The hermit directed him to a path with a dangerous crossing point at a swift river, and suggested that the man's great size and strength made him a good candidate to assist people in crossing the river. Reprobus began ferrying people across the river on his back. One day, a small child approached & asked to be carried across. Reprobus began to comply, only to discover that the boy was far heavier than any other passenger he had taken. The child revealed that he was in fact Jesus Christ, and that his unusual weight was due to the fact that he bore the sins of the world. The boy (Jesus) then baptized Reprobus in the river, and he acquired his new name, Christopher, "Christ-carrier". The child then told Christopher to plant his staff in the ground where it miraculously bloomed into a fruit-bearing tree. This miracle converted many. Enraged at these conversions, a local king had Christopher imprisoned, where, after cruel tortures, he was beheaded as a martyr.
Some believers in the Roman Catholic tradition carry images of Saint Christopher for protection on journeys, venerating him as the patron saint of travelers. Medallions issued in his name are frequently displayed in automobiles. Christopher has always been a widely popular saint, revered especially by mariners, ferrymen, and travelers. In modern times a major center of his following has been in Italy and among Italian-Americans. Saint Christopher medals and holy cards sometimes have this phrase written: "If you place your trust in St. Christopher, you won't die in an accident".
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church was founded in 1958 to serve the Churchland area. The present structure was erected in 1962.
This cache is a small tupperware container.
Congratulations to KurtF for FTF
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
avpur/abbx, obggbz, zvqqyr
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures