St. George

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. George. The date that St. George was born is unknown however, St. George was born during the year 280 in Cappadocia, Turkey.

St. George was born to parents who were a Roman officer and a Greek native of Lydda. Both his parents were Christians that came from noble families of the Anici and George, Georgios in the original Greek, were raised to follow their faith.

As soon as St. George was old enough, he was welcomed to join Diocletian's army.

When St. George was in his late 20's, St. George became a Tribunus and worked as an imperial guard for the Emperor in Nicomedia.

On February 24, 303 A.D. Diocletian, who had a large hate towards Christians, announced that he wanted every Christian in the army that had been accepted to be arrested. Diocletian mentioned that every other soldier would have to offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods.

St. George refused to follow Diocletian’s announcement and St. George told Diocletian that he refused. Diocletian was extremely angry however, he greatly valued his friendship with St. George's father.

When St. George mentioned his beliefs before his peers, Diocletian was unable to keep what was occurring to himself.

Diocletian tried to save St. George from being persecuted for his beliefs. Diocletian tried to get St. George to convert. Diocletian tried to get St. George to believe in the Roman gods, Diocletian also offered St. George land, money and slaves. Diocletian wanted St. George to offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods, and if St. George did, Diocletian would give him all these rewards. Diocletian also made several other offers however St. George refused to accept them and St. George refused to worship other gods.

Eventually, after Diocletian had all of his options get rejected by St. George, Diocletian wanted St. George to be executed.

When they prepared for St. George’s death, St. George gave all of his money to the poor and St. George was later sent to suffer several torture sessions. St. George was tortured by being lacerated on a wheel of swords and St. George required resuscitation a total of three times, but still St. George did not turn away from God.

On April 23, 303 A.D. St. George was decapitated and killed before Nicomedia's outer wall. St. George’s body was later sent to Lydda for burial, and other Christians went to honor St. George as a martyr.

The story of St. George slaying the dragon, and rescuing the king’s daughter, and converting Libya is a popular 12th-century Italian story.

St. George was one of the most popular patron saints for the crusaders, as well for many Eastern soldiers during earlier times.

St. George is the patron saint of England, Portugal, Germany, Aragon, Catalonia, Genoa, Milan and Bologna.

St. George is a saint that stands out among other saints due to he fact that St. George is known and revered by both Muslims and Christians.

It is said that St. George killed the dragon near a sea which was located in Beirut, therefore St. George bay was named in his honor.

In many art works, Saint George is illustrated wearing armor and holding a lance or fighting a dragon, which represents evil.

St. George's feast day is celebrated on April 23, however, if it manages to fall before Easter, it is celebrated on Easter Monday.

Prayer to St. George:

St. George through your life you should us that it is important for us to stay strong in our faith through moments of trials and temptations, St. George help us to gain the strength we need to stay close to Christ in moments of trials so that we may put all our trust in Christ so that we may overcome our challenges. St. George help us to guide more people to Christ even if it may be dangerous to do so.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord and Mary our Mother in Heaven

Amen

St. George pray for us

St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

---

Works cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Catholic Online. “St. George. ”St. George - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. Accessed 23 April 2021.

Images:

St. George. April 23, 2021. st. george - Google Search.