"George must be classed with that category of saints whose names are ‘justly reverenced among men, but for whose acts on earth are known only to God’": Pope Gelasius

 

If you ask any English person if they know who Saint George is, they will probably be taken aback to be faced with such an elementary question and hasten to add that of course they do! After all, Saint George’s name is practically a household word: he is patron saint of England and one of the most popular saints: not only does his red cross appear on our flag, but countless streets and squares, public buildings and houses have been named after him. Generally, too, people know he slayed a dragon! However, any more information than that is lacking..

 

As far as historians are aware, Saint George (c. 275/281 – 23 April 303 AD) was born in Lydda (in modern Israel), and was a soldier in the Roman army and was later venerated as a Christian martyr. Saint George became an officer in the Roman army in the Guard of Diocletian. However, this is all we know (if that’s true!), and he could be an amalgamation of many people called George, or similar to the real George.

 

In hagiography, Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic (Western and Eastern Rites), Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches. He is immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. His memorial is celebrated on 23 April, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints.

 

How did George become the Patron Saint of England? Read more about George, here.