Our Patron Saint - Saint George the Victorious

Our patron, Saint George, is one of the most venerated saints across all of Christianity.  

He was born to Christian parents in Cappadocia, a town in Asia Minor- present-day Turkey, during the late third century, around 275 and 285 AD.  He entered the military at a very young age and advanced quickly to the rank of Tribunus in the imperial guard of Emperor Diocletian.  In 302 AD, the emperor issued an edict requiring all Christian soldiers to denounce their faith and offer sacrifice to the Pagan gods.  George, by now one of the Emperor’s favored officers, loudly and repeatedly denounced the Emperor’s edict and declared his worship of Jesus Christ.  After several attempts and offers of great wealth to convert George, Diocletian ordered his torture and eventual decapitation, along with Empress Alexandra, on April 23, 303.  He was buried in the town of Lydda, and soon Christians started honoring him as a martyr.  Today, we venerate Saint George on April 23 unless Easter falls after that date, in which case we celebrate his “name day” the day after Easter.

His icon is seated on a horse and depicts him slaying a dragon, a symbol of evil in the world. In the background is a lady who is probably Alexandra. Other icons of St. George show him in military attire, displaying the rank of his office.

As our patron saint, we honor him every liturgy with the following hymn: “ Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick and champion of Kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.”