St. George is honored throughout Christendom as one of the most illustrious martyrs of Jesus Christ. During the reign of the first Catholic emperors, when the Faithful were free to practice their Faith, numerous churches were erected in his honor, and his tomb in Palestine became a popular place of pilgrimage.

The traditions concerning his noble life have been handed down to us by the Greek historians. In fact, his life was recorded in the style of poem by that great Saint and Doctor of the Church, St. John Damascene.

St. George was born in Cappadocia of noble Christian parents. After the death of his father, he traveled with his mother into Palestine, of which she was a native. She possessed a considerable estate there and, when she died, this inheritance was passed on to St. George. With his whole life ahead of him, and being a strong and robust man, the Saint chose the profession of a soldier.

In time, his bravery and fidelity won for him the rank of a tribune, or colonel, in the army. Attracted by St. George’s noble quatlities, the emperor himself, Emperor Diocletian, bestowed upon him marks of special favor. All was looking quite well for the Saint. Then the time came for his true loyalties to be proven and his courage to be tested.

To the horror of every Catholic throughout the empire, the emperor suddenly declared war against their religion - beginning one of the most bloody persecutions against the Church. When this happened, St. George, as a tribune of the Roman army, had a choice to make. Would he defend or deny his Faith? Would he give up his favored status under the emperor, and his life of honors and privileges? What was more important to him?

Being the brave soldier of Christ that he was, St. George made the right choice and resigned from his position in the army, laying aside the signs of his rank. And he did not hide his reasons for doing so. He went himself to Emperor Diocletian and boldly rebuked him for his wicked anti-Catholic laws. The evil man, however, had no patience for the saint’s heroism, and St. George was immediately cast into prison. Hoping somehow to win him over, the emperor made various threats and promises to the prisoner. All the Catholic would have to do is deny his Faith. But St. George remained firm and, as a result, was given over to the torturers who tormented him with great cruelty.

God’s grace remained with St. George though, just as St. George was faithful to Christ. When tempted and threatened yet again, the saint bravely responded:

"I despise your promises! And do not fear your threats. The emperor's power does not last long and his reign will soon end. It would be better for you to acknowledge the true God and to seek His kingdom."

His courage was again repaid with more evil and, as he lay chained in his prison, a great block of stone was placed upon his tortured chest. The brave soldier passed a very long night in this painful manner.

The next day the saint was tied to a wheel set with sharp knives, and it was put in motion to cut him to pieces. While suffering this cruel torture, he was blessed with a heavenly vision, which consoled and encouraged him, saying, "George, fear not; I am with you."

While the emperor remained heartless to the Saint's bravery, St. George’s patience and fortitude under his torments did not go completely unnoticed. The sight of this Catholic’s courage so affected the numerous pagans watching him that many of them were converted to the True Faith and even suffered martyrdom for it.

In the end, his persecution ended with the order for his beheading. The next day, April 23, 303, St. George was led through the city of Lydda, where he had the incredible privilege of giving his life for Christ. This city is actually mentioned in the Holy Bible, in the Acts of the Apostles, as the place where St. Peter healed a man sick with the palsy.

St. George is popularly illustrated as a knight, driving his spear into a demon under the appearance of a dragon. This shows the great battle that this saint fought against the devil and the wonderful victory he won by remaining faithful to Christ, even unto meriting the glorious martyr's crown.

We, too, like St. George, have many opportunities to live and confess our Catholic Faith. We confess it by patiently bearing with troubles and trials; by fighting against our inclinations to evil; by suffering injustice without repaying evil for evil; by using every opportunity to perform deeds of charity; by devoting ourselves whole-heartedly to our daily duties; by never using unkind, lying, or evil words; and by meekly obeying those whom God has placed in authority over us, especially our parents.

Let us look to the example of St. George then, and ask him for the graces we need to imitate his courage, Fortitude and Faith in the service of Christ. This way, like St. George, we may fearlessly and always do the right thing - and, by our virtue, conquer the wicked dragon!