He was the eldest son of Duke John II (1545-1622) and at his father's death, he inherited the island of Ærø.
His father had combined the small farms on the island into three manors: Gråsten, Søbygård, and Gudsgave.
The Catholic chapter continued to pay him the salary of an unmarried priest until c. 1619.
After Christian's death, Katharina married his administrator, Peder Christensen Pilegaard, who then settled in Ærøskøbing as a merchant.
After Christian's death, his inheritance was divided by his three surviving brothers: Also his nephew The division of the island into many small territories resulted in a complicated tax administration and an active black market.