Feast Day April 23
St. George is the most famous of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is the principle patron of England. He was a native of Cappadocia in Asia Minor and descended from a noble family. After the early death of his father, he went with his mother to Palestine and entered the Roman army, rising to the highest rank. During the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian, he was discovered to be a Christian and, despite threats and torture, he refused to abandon his religion. He died on April 23 in the year 303.
St. George is invoked in spiritual troubles, and in doubts and dangers against faith. He is also called upon by pious farmers to protect their cattle from disease. He is the patron of soldiers and is generally represented as a knight in armor, slaying the dragon at his feet. The dragon represents the evil of Satan.
