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.
In 1162, Christian became provost at Mainz Cathedral and Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht. He traveled with the emperor during his Italian expedition in 1163. In 1165, Conrad of Wittelsbach did not recognize Paschal III as the imperial antipope. Frederick and Paschal immediately named Christian to the bishopric, where he was acknowledged throughout the empire but not by Pope Alexander III.