Saint George and the Serpent

The cult of St. George is one of the most fascinating of all the Saints.

St. George was a Christian missionary who was martyred in Palestine under the Emperior Diocletian and his original Shrine is in Lydda. Although he had nothing whatever to do with the military, he is often portrayed as a soldier on a horse with spear in hand conquering a serpent or dragon as a young maiden in the distance looks on.

This symbolic iconography depicts St. George has a Christian hero who conquered evil opposition to Christ signified by the dragon. The young maiden symbolizes the Church which St. George defended and protected with his preaching, bold witness to Christ and martyric death. St. George is the only Martyr in the Calendar whose cult is completely universal, that is, it is found in all the Churches of Christianity throughout the world. Georgia in the Caucasus is a country named after him (also known as " Hrusia ").

Other aspects of the cult of St. George include his Patronage of soldiers and knights. He is also a patron of farmers. In Ukraine, and elsewhere, the agricultural year begins on his feast, May 6, with molebens sung in the fields for a blessing on the new crops. His secondary feast of the Consecration of the Cathedral of St. George in Kyiv in November brings the agricultural year to a close.

The Cross of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the familiar red on white is also known as St. George’s Cross. There is a story that King Richard the Lion-Heart of England was battling the Muslims near Lydda. One day, he was surrounded by an enemy host larger than his own army. He invoked St. George and immediately a red Cross appeared on a white cloud. King Richard won the battle and the red Cross on white became England’s banner and still is to this day. On April 23^rd, St. George’s Day, Christians of English heritage often wear a red rose or a blue-bell flower in his honour. They also wear blue coats in imitation of the Knights of the Garter of St. George established by King Edward III.

The Act of the Martyrdom of St. George are quite remarkable. What its authors are saying is that George’s sufferings were tremendous and, by the Grace of God, he got through it all. He even converted St. Alexandra and the two soldiers who were torturing him and they are in the calendar as martyrs along with St. George. We know from history that the Romans and others had developed torture into a " fine art. " Their aim was not necessarily to kill the victim, but to get him or her to recant their (Christian) views. So things like smearing a person with honey and tying them naked to the ground so that insects could bite them were commonplace in those times.

That Diocletian himself hated Christianity to an extreme degree is demonstrated by the fact that he had a large sign put up in different places addressed to the Christians, " You are not allowed to exist! "

Also, the Ukrainian Kozaks venerated St. George as their special patron and St. George’s banner and icon on their flags occupied a place of high honour. He is often called the " Trophy-Bearer " and the " Conqueror " in liturgical services and his Akathist. May St. George protect you always!

Dr. Alexander Roman  alex@unicorne.org