St. George the Great Martyr

George was born in Cappadocia and rose to high rank in the army of the emperor Diocletian. When the emperor ordered the persecution of Christians, George gave away his wealth, went before him and declared himself a Christian. He was tortured on a wheel and in a pit of lime, and he came through each torment alive, and many who watched were converted, among them, by tradition, the empress Alexandra. He was beheaded in 303 and buried at Lydda in the Holy Land. The Church calls him the Trophy-bearer, and the icon of him slaying the dragon shows his victory over evil.

• Feast: April 23 (New Calendar)
• Lived: died 303
• Place: Lydda