In the Eastern Churches St. George is called an arch martyr. On the European continent you find many variations of his name. His tomb is testified in Lod the Biblical Lydda. He was promised to have a successful military career if he gave up to be a Christian. But even the most cruel tortures did not prevent him from being a faithful Christian. His veneration soon spread from Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria to the whole Near Orient. Many frescos in caverns and chapels show scenes of his martyrdom. In the Occident St. George's churches are to be found already in the 6th century. Relics of St. George promoted his worship. Emperor Henry II dedicated the East Choir of Bamberg Cathedral to St. George. Next to the Archangel St. Michael St. George as the dragon-slayer takes the first place. The picture of the Saint as a warrior and a knight on a horse has been mostly spread by the crusaders. Great artists were interested in him: Raffael, Holbein, Duerer, Lucas Cranach, Gruenewald, Rubens etc. The equestrian statue in Asam`s church at Weltenburg is famous. Icons of St. George are guarded as a pretious tresure from Byzanz to Russia. St. George is the patron of England, Sweden and Lithuania. Countless churches and chapels go by the name of him.
| Name: | in Greek: Georgos: the farmer |
| Day of Commemoration: | April 23rd |
| Native Place: | Cappadocia (Southern Turkey) |
| Year of Death: | about 305 under Emperor Diocletian |
| Distinguishing Feature: | knight with sword and shield, a white flag with a red cross, the dragon under his feet |
| Particular Patronage: | Patron of knights, farmers, saddlers, Scouts and horses, example of Christian fortitude. |
Prayer:St. George, in your life you experienced that it can be hard to serve. Give us the fortitude we need to dedicate our strength and our knowledge to the service or those who are next to us. Give to those ruling over us honesty, modesty and understanding of our worries.
