WHAT IS THE FEAST DAY OF ST. GEORGE? BY GIL HAAS

What exactly is The Feast Day of St. George and who was St. George?
​Although not on the Episcopal calendar, last Tuesday (April 23rd) was the feast of St. George, the namesake for St. George’s Guild.  George is most known as the patron saint of England, but he is also patron of forty-four other countries and cities as well as the scouting movement.  Returning Crusaders learned the legend of St. George from Orthodox icons.  In this legend, a dragon nested near the spring that provided Cyrene’s water.  To collect water, a sheep was offered to distract the dragon.  If no sheep were available, then a maiden, chosen by lots, was substituted.  One day, the lot fell to the princess.  Taking her fate willingly, she approached the beast.  Fortuitously George appears, protects himself with the sign of the cross, and slays the dragon.  His gallantry converted the village to Christianity.  George was born into a Greek Christian noble family in the third century.  Despite being only 20, he became Emperor Diocletian’s best officer.  His Christian faith crossed with Diocletian’s edict that all Roman soldiers must sacrifice to Roman gods.  Despite Diocletian’s promises of vast riches, George never capitulated.  He was eventually tortured and decapitated after giving the poor his wealth. 
​~Gil Haas