Saint of the Day for 23 April: St. George
St. George: Life, Legend and Worship of the Patron Saint
Name
St. George
Title
Martyr of Lydda
Birth
c. 275, Cappadocia
Death
April 23, 303, Lydda (Palestine).
Recurrence
23 April
Martyrology
2004 edition
Prayer
O glorious St. George, who sacrificed his blood and life to confess the faith, obtain for us from the Lord the grace to be willing to suffer for his sake any affront and any torment, rather than to lose a single one of the Christian virtues; grant that, in the absence of executioners, we may know from ourselves how to mortify our flesh by the exercises of penance, so that by voluntarily dying to the world and to ourselves, we may merit to live to God in this life, to be then with God in all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Patron of
Balsorano, Treglio, Pereto, Reggio di Calabria, Pizzo, San Giorgio Morgeto, Stilo, Oriolo, Zumpano, Sinopoli, San Roberto, Maropati, San Giorgio Albanese, Martone, San Giorgio a Cremano, San Giorgio del Sannio, Airola, Pignataro Maggiore, San Giorgio La Molara, Colle Sannita, Roccabascerana, Postiglione, Liveri, Cicerale, Ferrara, Sassuolo, Luzzara, San Giorgio di Piano, Rio Saliceto, San Giorgio Piacentino, Porcia, Fontanafredda, Chions, Pagnacco, San Giorgio della Richinvelda, Claut, Preone, Riano, Ripi, Oriolo Romano, San Giorgio a Liri, Vico nel Lazio, Nerola, Tarano, Arcinazzo Romano, Riofreddo, Badalucco, Portofino, Bormida, Limbiate, Casatenovo, Cornate d’Adda, Treviolo, San Giorgio Bigarello, Capriolo, Venegono Superiore, San Giorgio su Legnano, Dello, Casorezzo, Castellucchio, Cellatica, Montano Lucino, Gazzada Schianno, Gropello Cairoli, Carimate, Bisuschio, Casalbuttano ed Uniti, Bagolino, Comezzano-Cizzago, Ardesio, Endine Gaiano, Varzi, Valgreghentino, Costa di Mezzate, Villanterio, Bernate Ticino, Fiorano al Serio, Montagna in Valtellina, Dresano, Porto San Giorgio, Montegiorgio, Urbisaglia, Loro Piceno, Appignano del Tronto, Montappone, Cossignano, Campobasso, Mirabello Sannitico, Montecilfone, Petrella Tifernina, Tavenna, Scapoli, Chiauci, Cavallermaggiore, Casale Corte Cerro, Valperga, Caselette, San Giorgio Canavese, Stazzano, Trinità, Valduggia, Varzo, Coggiola, Andezeno, Lessolo, Nebbiuno, Reano, Frabosa Sottana, Agrate Conturbia, Beura-Cardezza, San Giorgio Monferrato, San Giorio di Susa, Carpeneto, Lozzolo, Bairo, Tricerro, Torre San Giorgio, Piovà Massaia, Montechiaro d’Acqui, Terdobbiate, Vidracco, Brozolo, Viola, San Giorgio Ionico, Matino, Carpignano Salentino, Sternatia, Ortelle, Bagnolo del Salento, Chieuti, Sestu, Quartucciu, Bitti, Pozzomaggiore, Perfugas, Ovodda, Tresnuraghes, Bonnanaro, Baressa, Ruinas, Lodine, Pau, Semestene, Siliqua, Donori, Villaputzu, Segariu, Sambuca di Sicilia, Piana degli Albanesi, Calatabiano, Prizzi, Vicari, Monforte San Giorgio, Castelmola, Comano, Varna, Castello-Molina di Fiemme, Terento, Luson, Castello Tesino, Tires, Croviana, Cis, Castel Condino, Pollein, Hône, Rhêmes-Saint-Georges, Marcon, Valeggio sul Mincio, San Giorgio delle Pertiche, Maserada sul Piave, Costabissara, San Giorgio in Bosco, Arcole, Quinto Vicentino, Casale di Scodosia, Sanguinetto, Trecenta, Castegnero, Bergantino, Domegge di Cadore, Teglio Veneto, Castelcucco, Cazzano di Tramigna
Protector
Of halberdiers, archers, armorers, knights, Christian militia, planters, scouts, soldiers
Relics place
Cathedral of St. George
Roman Martyrology
Christmas of St. George Martyr, whose illustrious martyrdom is venerated by the Church of God among the crowns of the Martyrs.
The Saint and Mission
St. George is a figure that transcends the boundaries of pure religious veneration, becoming a symbol of courage and protection. His legendary battle against the dragon is not only a fascinating tale, but also represents a powerful metaphor for the struggle of good against evil, a mission that St. George embodies perfectly. This narrative has inspired countless works of art and literature, making the saint a cultural hero in different cultures. Celebrated universally as the patron saint of knights, soldiers and scouts, St. George continues to be a model of moral and physical strength, whose story still resonates in the hearts of many.
The Saint and Mercy
St. George is not only a symbol of courage and strength, but also of mercy. In his legendary story, his victory over a fierce dragon reflects not only the triumph of good over evil, but also the expression of his compassion. By saving the princess and the city from the threat of the dragon, St. George demonstrates that true heroism manifests itself in the ability to protect and preserve life, not just in the act of fighting. This dimension of mercy in his tale elevates his figure to an example of how power and strength should be guided by kindness and selflessness, teaching that true greatness is in serving others and alleviating their suffering.
Hagiography
S. George lived in the 3rd century, under the empire of Diocletian. Of this saint, so revered everywhere, and especially in England, little is known, yet we know that he was honored throughout antiquity as a valiant soldier and illustrious martyr, and…