Saint George

St. George was born to noble Christian parents in Cappadocia, modern-day Turkey. When his father died, he and his mother moved to Lydda, Palestine, where his mother had been born and where she inherited a large estate. George eventually joined the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, where he advanced to the rank of colonel. In 303, Diocletian issued an edict with the aim of eradicating Christians across the empire. Churches were to be destroyed, Scripture burned, public worship was forbidden, and Christians, especially those in the military, were forced to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Those who refused faced imprisonment or death. 

George tore up the Emperor's order against Christians. This infuriated Diocletian, and George was imprisoned and tortured, but he refused to deny his faith. The Emperor then tried to entice George with promises of favors if he worshipped the Roman gods. In response to these promises, George told his jailer, "I despise your promises and do not fear your threats. The Emperor's power is of short duration, and his reign will soon end. It is better for you, to acknowledge the true God and to seek His kingdom." The following day, George was led through the city and then beheaded. His witness was so powerful that many Roman pagans were converted, including Diocletian's wife, who was also martyred for her faith. 

According to the 'Golden Legend,' George rescues a Libyan king's daughter from a dragon and then slays the monster in return for a promise by the king's subjects to be baptized. Some have interpreted the dragon in the story as the devil and have seen Saint George's slaying of the dragon as an indication of the power of his intercession. St. George is the patron saint of agricultural workers, soldiers, peacekeeping missions, shepherds, scouting, England, and many other countries.                                                                                                          

St. George, we implore your mighty aid in the battle against all that is evil; secure for us the grace to triumph over the temptations that besiege us and to courageously endure the trials that burden us, so that we may walk in the path of righteousness and attain the eternal rewards of our faith.

#StGeorgesDay #saint #feast #shalomworldprayer

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.