Which saint is the patron of travelers and sailors?

Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers and sailors.

Christopher’s patronage comes chiefly from the medieval legend that he carried people across a dangerous river. In the best-known version, a child he agreed to carry became extraordinarily heavy; the child then revealed himself as Christ. The story made Christopher a symbol of bearing or carrying Christ, and his name is often connected with the Greek idea of “Christ-bearer.”

Because the legend presents him helping travelers, Christian communities came to invoke him for protection on journeys. His patronage expanded to sailors, mariners, boatmen, drivers, motorists, and other transportation workers. Images and medals of Christopher have consequently been displayed in vehicles or carried by travelers.

The historical details of his life are uncertain, and accounts differ about his date and place of martyrdom. His traditional imagery is also varied: Western art often shows a giant carrying the infant Jesus, while some Eastern depictions portray him as a martyr or with an animal-like head.