What is myth and what is fact? Did he really slay a Dragon? Why is he such a popular Saint, celebrated in so many Countries, Races, Religions and Organisations?
Most authorities on the subject agree that St George was born in the the year 280 AD in Cappadocia. This kingdom was on the same land mass as Turkey now occupies although Turkey didn't exist until 1923, some 1700 years later. To say St George was Turkish is akin to saying Queen Boudica of the Celtic Iceni tribe came from Norwich city.
St George was clearly Cappadocian, not Turkish.
He enlisted into the Cavalry of the Roman Army at the age of 17 and very quickly established a reputation amongst his peers, for his virtuous behaviour, physical strength,
his military bearing, valour and handsome looks.
He quickly achieved the rank of Tribunus Militum, an officer's rank roughly equivalent to a full Colonel, in charge of a regiment of 1,000 men. Emperor Diocletian set himself the task of rejuvenating the morale of the citizens of Rome by reviving the prevailing traditions and paganism of Rome. This was a time of high inflation and civil unrest and one outcome of this dissatisfaction was the increasing influence of Christianity.
Emperor Diocletian issued an edict that all Christian Churches were to be destroyed and all scriptures to be burnt. Anyone admitting to being a Christian, would lose his rights as a citizen and most likely, their life.
As a consequence, Diocletian achieved the reputation of being perhaps the cruelest persecutor of Christians at that time. Many Christians feared to be loyal to their God, but having become a devout convert to Christianity, St. George went to the city of Nicomedia where, upon entering, he tore down the notice of the Emperor's edict and vowed to protect Christians from the persecution. St. George gained great respect for his compassion towards Diocletian's victims.
As news spread of his rebellion, St. George realised that it would not be long before he was arrested.He prepared for the event by disposing of his property to the poor
and he freed his servants.
When he appeared before Diocietian, it is said that St. George bravely denounced him for his unnecessary cruelty and injustice to Christians. The Emperor consigned St George to prison with instructions that he be tortured until he denied his Christianity.
St George, at the age of 23, having defended his Christian faith was beheaded on the 23rd of April in the year 303 AD.
Most authorities on the subject agree that St George was born in the the year 280 AD in Cappadocia. This kingdom was on the same land mass as Turkey now occupies although Turkey didn't exist until 1923, some 1700 years later. To say St George was Turkish is akin to saying Queen Boudica of the Celtic Iceni tribe came from Norwich city.
St George was clearly Cappadocian, not Turkish.
He enlisted into the Cavalry of the Roman Army at the age of 17 and very quickly established a reputation amongst his peers, for his virtuous behaviour, physical strength,
his military bearing, valour and handsome looks.
He quickly achieved the rank of Tribunus Militum, an officer's rank roughly equivalent to a full Colonel, in charge of a regiment of 1,000 men. Emperor Diocletian set himself the task of rejuvenating the morale of the citizens of Rome by reviving the prevailing traditions and paganism of Rome. This was a time of high inflation and civil unrest and one outcome of this dissatisfaction was the increasing influence of Christianity.
Emperor Diocletian issued an edict that all Christian Churches were to be destroyed and all scriptures to be burnt. Anyone admitting to being a Christian, would lose his rights as a citizen and most likely, their life.
As a consequence, Diocletian achieved the reputation of being perhaps the cruelest persecutor of Christians at that time. Many Christians feared to be loyal to their God, but having become a devout convert to Christianity, St. George went to the city of Nicomedia where, upon entering, he tore down the notice of the Emperor's edict and vowed to protect Christians from the persecution. St. George gained great respect for his compassion towards Diocletian's victims.
As news spread of his rebellion, St. George realised that it would not be long before he was arrested.He prepared for the event by disposing of his property to the poor
and he freed his servants.
When he appeared before Diocietian, it is said that St. George bravely denounced him for his unnecessary cruelty and injustice to Christians. The Emperor consigned St George to prison with instructions that he be tortured until he denied his Christianity.
St George, at the age of 23, having defended his Christian faith was beheaded on the 23rd of April in the year 303 AD.