Saint George and the Dragon, Legend or Truth?
April 23rd is the feast day of Saint George - the face of Christian chivalry and chastity in medieval times.
His Early Life
Little is actually known about Saint George and the details about his early life, so we don't know exactly when he was born. Saint George was born into a noble family in now modern-day Turkey. He was raised very strong in his faith by his family. As soon as he was old enough, he joined Diocletian's army and quickly ranked up to serve as an imperial guard in Greece.
In February of 303 A.D., Emperor Diocletian, infamous for his hate of the Christian people, declared that every Christian must offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods.
George, who had held strong in his Christian beliefs, was not going to give up his faith now. He refused Diocletian's order. Diocletian was greatly angered, but valued his friendship with George's father so much that he attempted to bribe George with land, money, slaves, and more.
With no other option, Diocletian finally ordered George's execution. George was tortured and then decapitated on April 23rd, 303 A.D.
What does this have to do with dragons?
Most people know St. George because of the story of him gallantly slaying a dragon and saving the "damsel in distress." But is this the real story?
Believe it or not, the story of St. George as a dragon slayer wasn't actually introduced until nearly a millennium after his death.
Legend has it that a dragon was mercilessly terrorizing a city called Silene (modern day Libya). The people of the town were able to keep it at bay by offering a sheep to it each day. Silene soon ran out of sheep and was forced to resort to human sacrifice.
The human sacrifices were chosen each day by drawing straws. Eventually, the King's daughter was chosen as a sacrifice. As she went out to be offered to the dragon, George rode through and saw the horrible situation.
He courageously made the Sign of the Cross over himself, turned to attack the dragon, and slew it.
After witnessing this immense act of faith and bravery, the pagan town abandoned their false gods and turned towards Christianity.
St. George's Legacy
St. George and his dragon-slaying story has actually left a large lasting impression on Western culture. Many fantasy stories and even movies (such as Lord of the Rings and Shrek) use this trope of the knight slaying the dragon.
St. George is now revered as a symbol of courage and unwavering faith, especially courage to defend the innocent.
St. George was canonized by Pope Gelasius I in 494. At the canonization, Pope Gelasius stated that St. George was one "whose names are justly revered among men but whose acts are known only to God."
Prayer
St. George,
Heroic Catholic soldier and defender of your Faith, you dared to criticize a tyrannical Emperor and were subjected to horrible torture. You could have occupied a high military position but you preferred to die for your Lord.
Obtain for us the great grace of heroic Christian courage that should mark soldiers of Christ.
Amen.
- Prayer from catholic.org
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