Christ Bearer

It's is a remarkable coincidence that Columbus's first name means “Christ Bearer”: Christos (Χριστός) + Phero (φέρω). I've read before that it was because of his name that Columbus felt called to bring the gospel to the world. Columbus believed the return of Christ was imminent in his day and that the need to take the gospel to all the lost in the world was urgent. He wrote:

I said that some of the prophecies remained yet to be fulfilled. These are great and wonderful things for the earth, and the signs are that the Lord is hastening the end. The fact that the gospel must still be preached to so many lands in such a short time, this is what convinces me.

Upon landing in the new world, he christened the first island, San Salvador which means, “Holy Savior.” He offered a prayer which I have modified slightly so that it continues to apply today:

O Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy holy Word Thou hast created the heaven, and the earth, and the sea; blessed and glorified be Thy Name, and praise be Thy Majesty, which hath deigned to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy holy Name may be proclaimed in [all] of the earth.

Amen!! Happy Columbus Day!