The church venerates St. George on April 23.

Not much is known about this much loved saint's early life.  St. George may have been born around 280 A.D into a Christian family of Cappadocia in present-day Turkey. When he was old enough, he joined Emperor Diocletian’s army and eventually became an imperial guard for the Emperor in Nicomedia (present-day Turkey).

In 303 A.D. Emperor Diocletian passed an order to arrest Christians which St. George promptly refused to obey. He also boldly proclaimed his beliefs to his fellow men.

The emperor knew George’s father and attempted to persuade the young man to renounce his Christian beliefs, but St. George stood resolute in his faith. An order of execution was handed down by the emperor and St. George, in preparation of his death, chose to give away all his wealth to the poor.

St. George was tortured and became a martyr on April 23, 303 A.D. A basilica was erected shortly after his death over his burial place in Lydda (present-day Lod, Israel).

St. George is generally depicted as a soldier on a horse vanquishing a dragon. For this reason, he is considered the patron saint of soldiers and invoked against plague, leprosy, and venomous snakes. The story of St. George and the dragon is an allegory for the fundamental battle between good and evil. St. George with the help of God is able to defeat the dragon and we are called to do the same.

Other Saints of the Day:
St. Adalbert, Bishop of Prague
Bl. Mary Gabriella Sagheddu