Saint of the Day - St. George

The story of St. George is often shrouded in legend and myth.  What we do know is that St. George was one of the best soldiers in the Roman army and a favorite of the Emperor Diocletian.  However, Diocletian was one of the great persecutors of the Christian faith; and for St. George, a devout Christian, this was dangerous.  The more prudent path would have been to keep his head down, but St. George was made of sterner stuff.  He boldly rebuked the Emperor for his cruelty to George’s fellow Christians.  For this courage, he was given the reward of a martyr’s crown, being cruelly tortured and finally beheaded.  The forthright and brave manner in which he faced his death for the love of Christ inspired the Christians of his time, and many stories and songs were composed about him.  From the time of his death, he has always been venerated as a martyr. 

One of the great myths of St. George is the slaying of the dragon, a legend that has become the iconic representation of the saint.  It is probably safe to say that St. George did not slay an actual dragon; but as with most saintly legends, that is not entirely the point – it is what it represents that is its value.  The dragon represents Satan and the sins and temptations which daily confront us.  The lady in distress evokes the Truth, that is Christ, which must constantly be defended.  As a brave soldier of Christ, George is unafraid to confront and defeat the Devil and his power in this world, even to the shedding of his own blood.

And that is why St. George is still a powerful intercessor and model for Christians everywhere.  St. George could have remained an honored soldier in the Roman army, a favorite of the most powerful man in the world; he could have kept his Christian faith to himself (out of the public square, so to speak); but instead he chose to bear witness to the Truth.  In the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Christians are still spilling their blood for the Truth.  Will we, like St. George, stand with them?  When our government attempts to impose its will over our conscience and our faith, will we, like St. George, stand up for the Truth?  As we ponder these questions, we might reflect on one more:  Which has endured to our day; the power and might of the Roman Empire, or the Christian Faith?

Novena Prayer to St. George

Faithful servant of God and invincible martyr, Saint George; favored by God with the 

gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ, you fought valiantly against 

the dragon of pride, falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death 

could part you from the love of Christ. I fervently implore you for the sake of this love 

to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me, and to 

bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may patiently carry the cross which is 

placed upon me; and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of 

Our Lord Jesus Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against 

evil, that I may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the end, through 

Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

(The entire Novena and Litany of St. George is available in a beautiful 4 ½ x 5 ½ booklet,

 with beautiful art, from Soli Deo Gloria Publications.  Look for the page here soon,

 or email me for more information.)