Saint George

Saint George: Feast Day April 23

  • George is one of the subjects of a great deal of fantasy. Numerous myths and traditions surround the life of this saint. The Catholic Church upholds the memory of this saint and the wisdom and lessons he imparts.
  • 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 myths, he was a knight. The more plausible scenario is that he 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 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 the 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 him. He demanded that he make a sacrifice to the Roman gods in exchange for money, territory, and slaves. George turned down all of these offers as well as others.
  • The Emperor finally decided to have George executed after exhausting all other possibilities. In light of his impending passing, George donated his money to the needy. He was subjected to multiple brutal torture sessions. He took three attempts at resuscitation after being lacerated on a wheel of blades.
  • George remained faithful to God despite the agonizing torment. After numerous torturous acts, 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, Pray for Us!