St. Caspar’s Biography |
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| Date of Birth | 21-19 BC |
|---|---|
| Country of Birth | Presumably India |
| Matrimony/Holy Orders | Saints who were Not Married |
| Profession | Indian Royalty and a Scholar |
| Place of Work | India |
| Date of Death | January 11 55 AD |
| Place of Death | N/A |
| Feast Day | January 6 |
| Beatification | |
| Canonization | Canonized by Pre congregation |
| Patron Saint of |
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Saint Caspar’s Life History
Caspar, also known as Kaspar, Gaspar was born presumably by calculations, between 21-19 BC and was one of the members of the legendary three wise men, mostly referred to as Magi, who went to visit and gift baby Jesus. He was referred to as the King of India or the Indian scholar, and was the one that gifted baby Jesus with Frankincense which signified the divinity of Baby Jesus while myrrh symbolized his humanity.
He was said to have a reddish beard and in the middle of the three kings as described by 8th century’s Saint Bede. He and the other two, Balthasar and Melchoir, all considered saints, arrived in Bethlehem after passing by King Herod’s palace as led by the star. They were instructed to return to the palace with the whereabouts of the new born king but as wise as they were, headed a warning from an angel to not inform the king as it would pose a great risk to baby Jesus.
Caspar died on January 11 55 AD aged 112 and was buried in the shrine of the three kings in Cologne Cathedral.
Saint Caspar’s Birth
He was born presumably between 21-19 BC
Saint Caspar’s Death
He died on January 11 55 AD at the age of 109 due to natural causes.
Canonization
He was canonized pre-congregation.
Venerated in
He is venerated in the ;
Roman catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Anglican Communion
Lutheran Church
Relics
His relics were first found in Persia by St. Helena and moved to Constantinople from where they were moved from by Eustorgius I in 344 AD to Milan. In 1164, Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa moved them to Cologne, Germany.
Major shrine
His major shrine is the Shrine of The Three Kings, Cologne, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Saint Caspar’s Feast Day
He is celebrated on the feast of the epiphany on January 6 and on January 11, the date said to be of his death.
Attributes
He is attributed as a king bearing gifts on a camel and also as one of three crowns.
Legacy
The three wise men were the first non-Gentiles and non-Jews to come worship Jesus Christ. They represented that God’s gifts are not for the holy land only but are universal.
Saint Caspar is the Patron Saint of
He is the patron saint of pilgrims, sawyers, travelers and motorists.
Saint Caspar’s Prayers
Below is a prayer to the three wise men;
Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior, your minds were prepared to receive a greater truth. Let us see in you an example of holy curiosity, of pilgrimage by light to light. When you discovered your treasure, you laid your gifts in homage. May our search also find. May our pilgrimage also end in truth followed by love.
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