Christian became provost of Mainz Cathedral in 1162, as well as in Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht, and accompanied the emperor on his Italian expedition of 1163. In 1165, Conrad of Wittelsbach refused to recognise the imperial antipope, Paschal III. Frederick and Paschal immediately appointed Christian to the bishopric and he was recognised throughout the empire, but not by Pope Alexander III.
Christian became the provost of Mainz Cathedral in 1162, as well as Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht. He accompanied the emperor on his Italian expedition in 1163. In 1165, Conrad of Wittelsbach refused to acknowledge the imperial antipope, Paschal III. Frederick and Paschal promptly appointed Christian to the bishopric, and he was recognized across the empire but not by Pope Alexander III.