Athleta Christi

Once "Athleta Christi" (Latin: "Champion of Christ") characterized a class of Early Christian soldier martyrs, of whom the most familiar example is Saint Sebastian. See Military saints.

In Early Modern times, since the 15th century, the title has been a political one, granted by popes to men who have led military campaigns to defend Christianity. The militant Catholic hymn Athleta Christi nobilis ("Noble Champion of the Lord"), a hymn for Matins on May 18, the feast of Saint Venantius was written in the 17th century. Its author is unknown. The medieval precursors of this hymn are numerous and include hymns, responsories and antiphons dedicated to many saints and martyrs, even non-militant ones like Cosmas and Damian .

Those who have held the title include:

• Louis I of Hungary called by Pope Innocent VI.
• John Hunyadi of Kingdom of Hungary called by Pope Pius II.
• George Kastrioti Skanderbeg of Albania called Athleta Christi by Popes Callixtus III, Pius II, Paul II, and Nicholas V
• Stephen the Great of Moldavia, called by Pope Sixtus IV