St. George

St. George is one of the most widely venerated of the early martyrs, honored in both East and West from ancient times, though reliable historical detail about his life is scarce. The constant tradition holds that he was a soldier, most likely an officer in the Roman army, who was put to death for his Christian faith during the persecutions, by tradition under the Emperor Diocletian about the year 303, at Lydda (Diospolis) in Palestine, where his tomb was venerated.

His fame spread through the whole Church, and in the Middle Ages the famous legend arose of George slaying a dragon to rescue a maiden, a story understood as an allegory of the triumph of faith and courage over the devil. Adopted as a patron by soldiers, by the Crusaders, and by nations and cities including England, Georgia, and Genoa, he embodies the ideal of the Christian warrior. The Church honors him as a true martyr while treating the dragon legend as pious story, and he is celebrated on 23 April.