Martyr, St George of Syria

St George was likely born to a Christian noble family in Lod, Syria, Palaestina during the late third century between about 275 AD and 285 AD. His father Gerontius was a Roman army official from Cappadocia and his mother, Polychronia was from Palestine. He lost both his parents at an early age.

George wanted to apply for a job as a soldier and went to Nicomedia (the imperial city at that time) and wet to see Emperor Diocletian who welcomed him with open arms as he knew his father who was one of his best soldiers. By his late 20's George had been promoted to the rank of Tribunus and stationed as an imperial guard of the Emperor at Nicomedia.

I the year AD 302, Diocletian commanded that every Christian solider in the army should be arrested and every other soldier needed to offer a sacrifice to the Pagan Gods. George did not agree with this and with his faith as courage went to see the Emperor. The Emperor was upset and tried to change George's mind buy trying to give him land and money if he made a sacrifice to the Roman Gods. George would not change his mind and loudly said in front of his fellow soldiers that he was a Christian and declared his worship of Jesus Christ.

Diocletian was left with no choice but to order to have George executed for his refusal. Before George was executed he gave his riches to the poor and prepared to die. George was tortured a number of times and resuscitated three times he was finally executed and decapitated before Nicomedia's City wall on April 23, 303.

After witnessing his suffering Empress Alexandra and Athanasuis a pagan priest to convert to christians as well, and they joined George in their martyrdom. His body was returned to Lydda in Palestine for burial where Christians soon came to honour him as a martyr.

St George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches and he is immortalised in the tale of Saint George and the dragon. He is also one of the fourteen holy helpers.

His feast day is celebrated on 23 April and he is also regarded as one of the most prominent military saints.

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