Saint George

Feast Day: April 23

• George is one of many men in history "whose names are justly revered among men but whose acts are known only to God". Numerous myths and traditions surround the life of this early Christian saint, but the Catholic Church upholds the memory of St. George and the wisdom and virtues he embodies.

• George was born to a Cappadocian father and a Palestinian woman of aristocratic birth in the third century in Cappadocia, present-day Turkey. He and his mother relocated to Palestine following the passing of his father.

• According to common traditions, George was a knight. A more plausible scenario is that he actually served as an officer in the Roman army. He was a Tribunus by the time he was in his late 20s and worked as an imperial guard in Nicomedia under the Roman Emperor.

• Emperor Diocletian, who despised Christians, enacted a law in 303 ordering the arrest of all Christians the army came across. Additionally, he mandated that every other soldier donate something to the Roman gods.

• George, a devout Christian at that time, disobeyed the emperor's command. Even Diocletian was informed of his unwavering conviction. The emperor was furious, but he valued his friendship with George's father a great deal.

• Emperor Diocletian attempted to convert George and persuade him to believe in the Roman gods in an effort to save his life. He demanded that he make a sacrifice to the Roman gods in exchange for money, territory, and slaves. George heroically turned down all of these offers, as well as others.

• The Emperor finally decided to have George executed after exhausting all other options (except the option to pardon). In light of his impending death, George donated all his money to the needy. He was subjected to multiple brutal sessions of torture. He took three attempts at resuscitation after being lacerated on a wheel of blades.

• George remained faithful to God despite the agonizing torments. After enduring these various tortures, George was finally beheaded in front of Nicomedia's outer wall.

• George’s body was sent to Lydda, her mother’s native land, for burial. Many other Christians went to honor George as a martyr.

• Saint George was canonized in AD 494 by Pope Gelasius, and is the patron saint of  knights, soldiers, scouts, fencers and archers. His name was historically invoked against the plague and leprosy, and he is also the patron saint against venomous snakes.

Saint George, Pray for Us!