FEAST OF SAINT GEORGE, MARTYR – 23rd APRIL

FEAST OF SAINT GEORGE, MARTYR
FEAST DAY – 23rd APRIL

Saint George’s Day, also called the Feast of Saint George, is the feast day of Saint George as celebrated by various Christian Churches and by the several nations, old kingdoms, regions, states, countries and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint – including Bulgaria, England, Georgia, Portugal, Romania as well as the Spanish communities of Cáceres, Alcoy, Aragon and Catalonia. The saint also has his state holiday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Saint George (ca. 275/281 – April 23, 303 C.E.), also known as George of Lydda, is one of the most venerated saints in the Anglican Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Eastern Catholic Churches. Enlisted as a Roman soldier in the Guard of Emperor Diocletian, he was martyred for his beliefs and became regarded as one of the most prominent military saints. Christian folklore also honours him through the popular tale of Saint George and the Dragon.

George (meaning “worker of the land”) was born to a Christian noble family during the late third century between about 275 C.E. and 285 C.E., in Lydda Palestine. His father Geronzio was a Roman army official from Cappadocia and his mother from Palestine. They were both Christians and from noble families and the child was raised with Christian beliefs. At the age of 14, George lost his father; a few years later, George’s mother Policronia died.

George subsequently decided to go to Nicomedeia, the imperial city of that time, and present himself to Emperor Diocletian to apply for a career as a soldier. Diocletian welcomed him with open arms, as he had known his father Geronzio—one of his finest soldiers. By his late twenties, George was promoted to the rank of Tribunus and stationed as an imperial guard of the Emperor at Nicomedeia.

Diocletian (influenced by Galerius) issued an edict that every Christian soldier in the army should be arrested and every other soldier should offer a sacrifice to the Pagan gods. George, however, objected and with the courage of his faith approached the Emperor and ruler. Diocletian was upset, not wanting to lose his best Tribune and the son of his best official, Geronzio.

George loudly renounced the Emperor’s edict, and in front of his fellow soldiers and Tribunes, he claimed himself to be a Christian and declared his worship of Jesus Christ. Diocletian attempted to convert George, even offering gifts of land, money and slaves if he made a sacrifice to the Pagan gods. The Emperor made many offers, but George never accepted.

Recognizing the futility of his efforts, Diocletian was left with no choice but to have him executed for his refusal. Before the execution George gave his wealth to the poor and prepared himself. After various torture sessions, including laceration on a wheel of swords in which he was miraculously resuscitated three times, George was executed by decapitation before Nicomedia’s city wall, on April 23, 303.

A witness of his suffering convinced Empress Alexandra and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to become Christians as well, and so they joined George in martyrdom. His body was returned to Lydda for burial, where Christians soon came to honor him as a martyr. Saint George’s Day is normally celebrated on 23 April. However, the Church of England rules denote that no saints’ day should be celebrated between Palm Sunday and the Sunday after Easter Day.

If 23 April falls in that period, the celebrations are transferred to after it. 23 April is the traditionally accepted date of the saint’s death in the Diocletianic Persecution of AD 303. Countless stories are told about St. George, including the famous episode of the dragon and the girl saved by the saint.

According to the standard version of the legend, we hear that in the city of Selem in Libya, there was a large pond where a terrible dragon lived. To appease it, the inhabitants offered him two sheep a day and later a sheep and a child drawn by lot.

One day the king’s daughter was chosen, and while she was heading toward the pond, George passed by and pierced the dragon with his spear; a gesture that became a symbol of faith triumphing over evil.

The first piece of evidence of George’s existence appeared within the works of the Bollandists Daniel Papebroch, Jean Bolland, and Godfrey Henschen’s Bibliotheca Hagiographica Graeca. George was one of several names listed in the historical text, and Pope Gelasius claimed George was one of the saints “whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose actions are known only to God.”

Another of the several stories about George fighting dragons, is the Western version, where a dragon or crocodile made its nest at a spring that provided water to Silene, believed to be modern day Cyrene in Libya. The people were unable to collect water and so attempted to remove the dragon from its nest, but it would temporarily leave its nest when they offered it a sheep.

This continued until all the sheep disappeared and the people were distraught. This was when they decided that a maiden would be just as effective as sending a sheep. The townspeople chose the victim by drawing straws, until one day, the princess’ straw was drawn.

The monarch begged for her to be spared but the people would not have it. She was offered to the dragon, but before she could be devoured, George appeared. He faced the dragon, protected himself with the sign of the Cross, and slayed the dragon.

After saving the town, the citizens abandoned their paganism and were all converted to Christianity. Saint George stands out among other saints and legends because he is known and revered by both Muslims and Christians. It is said Saint George killed the dragon near the sea in Beirut, thus Saint George bay was named in his honor.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates three St. George feast days each year -April 23 as is expected, November 3, to commemorate the consecration of a cathedral dedicated to him in Lydda, and on November 26, for when a church in Kiev was dedicated to him. In Bulgaria, his feast day is celebrated May 6 with the slaughter and roasting of a lamb.

In Egypt, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria calls St. George the “Prince of Martyrs” and celebrates on May 1. There is a second celebration November 17, in honor of the first church dedicated to him. Saint George is the patron saint of England and Catalonia and his cross can be found throughout England.

In older works, Saint George is depicted wearing armor and holding a lance or fighting a dragon, which represents Christ’s enemies. A church built in Lydda during the reign of Constantine I (reigned 306–337), was consecrated to “a man of the highest distinction,” according to the church history of Eusebius of Caesarea; the name of the patron was not disclosed, but later he was asserted to have been George.

The church was destroyed in 1010 but was later rebuilt and dedicated to Saint George by the Crusaders. In 1191, and during the conflict known as the Third Crusade (1189–1192), the church was again destroyed by the forces of Saladin, Sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty (reigned 1171–1193). A new church was erected in 1872 and is still standing.

During the fourth century the veneration of George spread from Palestine through Lebanon to the rest of the Eastern Roman Empire—though the martyr is not mentioned in the Syriac Breviarium—and Georgia. In Georgia, the feast day on November 23 is credited to Saint Nino of Cappadocia, who in Georgian hagiography is a relative of Saint George, credited with bringing Christianity to the Georgians in the fourth century.

CONTEMPLATING THE LIFE OF SAINT GEORGE 

Saint George is one of the most venerated martyrs in Christianity, honored across East and West as a soldier, a courageous witness, and a defender of the faith. Though surrounded by legend, his true identity is clear: a man who chose Christ over power, even unto death. He lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.

THE SOLDIER WHO REFUSED TO BOW

A MAN OF THE EMPIRE
George wore the armor of Rome. He was disciplined, respected, and trusted. He embodied strength, loyalty, and courage, rising through the ranks by character. Yet beneath the armor lay a deeper, unshakable allegiance to Christ.

THE DECREE THAT DIVIDED HEARTS
A command was issued that Christians must renounce their faith, offer sacrifice, and conform. The empire demanded unity at the cost of truth. While many were afraid, George responded with unwavering conviction.

THE MOMENT OF DECISION
Standing before the emperor’s court, under pressure and threat, he could have remained silent or complied. Instead, he declared simply, “I am a Christian.” It was a bold confession of truth without hesitation.

THE PRESSURE TO YIELD
He was not executed immediately. Instead, he faced persuasion—offers of reward, promotion, and appeals to his future. But George had already chosen. His life belonged to Christ.

THE TEST OF SUFFERING
When persuasion failed, suffering began. He endured torture and humiliation. Though the body weakens and the mind is tested, his soul remained firm and clear.

THE FINAL WITNESS
At last, the choice was final: death or denial. George did not resist or argue. He accepted death not as defeat, but as an offering. His martyrdom became his testimony.

THE STORY BEYOND HISTORY
Later traditions tell of a dragon defeated by George. While symbolic, it reflects a deeper truth—he conquered fear, power, and the demand to betray faith.

THE LEGACY OF COURAGE
Empires faded, but his witness endured. His life continues to ask: what do you stand for when it costs everything?

WIDESPREAD DEVOTION
Saint George is honored across many nations and Christian traditions as a symbol of courage and faith.

SPIRITUAL CHARACTER
Courage – He faced death without fear.
Faithfulness – He did not compromise his belief.
Witness – He stood openly for Christ.

SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
A MARTYR OF CONVICTION – Faith must be lived openly.
A SYMBOL OF SPIRITUAL BATTLE – Evil is real but can be overcome through faith.
A UNIVERSAL SAINT – Courage in faith speaks to all people.

KEY THEMES FROM HIS LIFE
FAITH OVER FEAR – True courage comes from conviction.
TRUTH OVER PRESSURE – External forces cannot change inner faith.
WITNESS THROUGH SACRIFICE – The greatest testimony is the gift of life.
SPIRITUAL BATTLE – Every believer faces trials that require steadfast faith.

Saint George remains a powerful witness of courage and faith, a man who chose Christ above all, even unto death.

PRAYER

O God, you favored Saint George with strength and constancy in the various tortures and agony which he underwent for our holy faith; we beseech you to preserve, through his intercession, our faith from wavering and doubt, so that we may serve you with a sincere heart, faithfully, unto death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Saint George, pray for us.

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ALSO CELEBRATED:

SAINT ADALBERT OF PRAGUE – BISHOP

Saint Adalbert was born in Bohemia, of noble parentage, about the middle of the tenth century. His father, a Slavonian, sent him to study at Magdeburg, under the care of the Archbishop Adalbert; who placed him in a school, under the direction of a holy monk, named Odericus, where the pupils, by serious attention to their studies, and most exemplary morals, edified one another.

Saint Adalbert, having remained nine years in this school, made considerable progress in human sciences, but still more in the science of the saints; for whatever time was allowed for recreation, he spent in holy prayer, in relieving the poor, and visiting the sick. Having made a copious collection of books, consisting chiefly of the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, he returned to Bohemia, and entered the ecclesiastical state at Prague. Diethmar, bishop of that city, was greatly enamored of his virtue, and ordained him sub deacon shortly before his death.

An assembly was held to propose a successor, at which the prince of Bohemia and other grandees were present, and, by unanimous consent, Saint Adalbert was chosen. Notwithstanding all his reluctance, and his pleas of unworthiness and youth, he was obliged to accept the onerous charge; and the election having met the approval of the emperor, our saint received the Episcopal consecration at the hands of Villegisus, Archbishop of Mayence.

He immediately proceeded to Prague, to take possession of his see, and was received amid the acclamations of the people. In assuming the government of his Church, his extraordinary piety became manifest; for on all festivals he distributed abundant alms, and supported twelve poor persons continually. He slept upon the bare floor, or upon sack-cloth, and passed a considerable part of the night in prayer. His continual preaching, and frequent visits to the sick and those in prison, manifested how totally he was devoted to the glory of God and the welfare of his flock.

But they treated his admonitions with an obstinacy surpassing the enthusiasm with which they had at first hailed his arrival; and Saint Adalbert accordingly resolved to leave them, having first consulted, and obtained permission from Pope John XV. His first intention was to make a pilgrimage on foot to the Holy Land; but on his arrival at Mount Cassino, the Abbot and some of the monks induced him to remain with them for some time, until it became known who he was; whereupon the holy bishop proceeded to Rome, and, by the advice of the Pope, received the religious habit in the monastery of St. Alexis, in the year 900. Here he lived in tranquility for three years and a half, until the Duke of Bohemia, moved by the wretched state of the Church at Prague, induced the Pope to send him back.

Upon his return, the most ample promises of obedience were made, but never fulfilled. So the saint again abandoned his rebellious flock, and went to preach the Gospel to the idolaters of Hungary. His success here, however, was not proportionate to his zeal; and the Bohemians continuing as obstinate as ever, he again returned to his monastery at Rome.

He was obliged by the Pope to repair a second time to Prague. The saint set out in obedience to this command; but being informed that his ungrateful flock had shown their implacable hatred of him by murdering his bothers, he requested the Duke of Poland to ascertain whether they were willing to receive him. The Bohemians replied: “Adalbert is a saint, and we are sinners; so it is impossible to expect that we can live quietly together.” The saint took this as a sufficient exoneration from the solicitude of his Church, and went to undertake the conversion of the pagans who were then in Prussia.

After he had suffered many hardships on this mission, the idolaters one day assembled in great numbers, and demanded of him why he had entered their country. The saint replied that he had come for their salvation, and exhorted them to abandon the worship of idols, and to adore the true God. But the barbarians were displeased at his words, and Siggo, the priest of the idols, ran him through the breast with his lance, whereupon the others rushed upon his also, while the saint, raising his hands to heaven, prayed to the Lord for their conversion.

The inhuman wretches placed his head upon a pole, and bore it away amid shouts of exultation. His martyrdom happened on the 23rd of April, of the year 997, and the Lord honored him by many subsequent miracles.

PRAYER

𝖮 𝖧𝗈𝗅𝗒 𝖲𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗍 𝖠𝖽𝖺𝗅𝖻𝖾𝗋𝗍, 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗐𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖺 𝖿𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗁𝖿𝗎𝗅 𝖻𝗂𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗉 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗆𝗂𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝖽𝖾𝖽𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝖿𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗉𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖦𝗈𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖻𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝖼𝗅𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗈 𝖦𝗈𝖽. 𝖤𝗏𝖾𝗇 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝖺𝖼𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝖽𝗂𝖿𝖿𝗂𝖼𝗎𝗅𝗍𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋, 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗋𝖾𝗆𝖺𝗂𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖿𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝗂𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖢𝗁𝗋𝗂𝗌𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖧𝗂𝗌 𝖢𝗁𝗎𝗋𝖼𝗁.

𝖯𝗋𝖺𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗎𝗌, 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗐𝖾 𝗆𝖺𝗒 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗅𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖿𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖻𝗈𝗅𝖽𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝖩𝖾𝗌𝗎𝗌 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗌. 𝖧𝖾𝗅𝗉 𝗎𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝖿𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗁𝖿𝗎𝗅 𝗂𝗇 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖽𝗎𝗍𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗇𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝖾 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾, 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗐𝖾 𝖿𝖺𝖼𝖾 𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖺𝗅𝗌. 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖼𝖾𝖽𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗎𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗐𝖾 𝗆𝖺𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝗆𝖺𝗂𝗇 𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝖿𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾.

𝖲𝗍. 𝖠𝖽𝖺𝗅𝖻𝖾𝗋𝗍, 𝗉𝗋𝖺𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗎𝗌. 𝖠𝗆𝖾𝗇

Saints Adalbert of Prague and George, Martyrs, pray for us all.

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