The Dragon Slayer
Born in the third century, St. George lived in Cappadocia and grew up to become a soldier in the Roman army. According to the legend, St. George’s travels took him to a town where he encountered a young princess who was evidently troubled. He asked her what was the matter, and the princess explained that she was going to meet her death with the dragon in the town’s lake.
She explained how this dragon threatened the townspeople. His appetite was kept at bay by a daily meal of two village sheep, but the dragon grew, and the flocks waned, so the king ordered that children be sacrificed for the sake of the entire village. The people would cast lots each day to choose the child that would be sent down to the dragon. This time the lot fell on the king’s own daughter. When St. George learned what had happened, he stopped the young princess from going. Instead, he went down to the lake himself and slew the great dragon with his sword, destroying the destroyer and saving the princess from her horrible destiny. The king was so grateful that he insisted on paying St. George from his great wealth. St. George tried to refuse the offer, but when he saw that he couldn’t, he gave the reward away to the poor. It is said many converted that day and were baptized.
During the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, St. George was asked to renounce his faith by the emperor, in whose army he served. He refused to betray his Lord and courageously professed his faith in the Christ. For this confession he was subjected to many tortures but, making the sign of the cross, endured suffering after the likeness of his Lord. After all this, he was beheaded and entered into glory on April 23rd.
St. George was a noble saint and continues to be an inspiration for modern Christians. The legend of his courage and faithfulness – even to death – offers an admirable image of Christian manhood and should be retold within the family. And what’s more, the story of St. George and the dragon is a crowd-pleaser, especially with little ones!
A Brief History
There are conflicting stories of precisely when St. George lived and under whose rule he was martyred. The stories agree, however, that St. George fought valiantly under persecution and ultimately won the crown of glory from his Savior whom he loved more than life.
His story is recorded as early as the fourth century at Nicaea. By the twelfth century, King Edward III adopted St. George as the patron saint of England, replacing the former English patron St. Edmund. Thus, on this holiday, the English fly St. George’s flag, a red cross over a white backdrop – a design that makes its way onto many cakes and toy breastplates on April 23rd. Beside flying St. George’s flag, the holiday is also celebrated with dancing and retellings of the story of St. George’s victory over the dragon.
Collect
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God: that, celebrating the heavenly birthday of Blessed George, Thy Martyr, we may, by his example, be emboldened in our faith toward Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lessons
Epistle
Gospel
Resources
Celebrate Saint George and enjoy a delicious meal of fish and chips!
This illustrated retelling of Saint George and the Dragon is available for purchase at SVS Press.
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Voragine, Jacobus de. The Golden Legend: Reading on the Saints. Vol. 1. Translated by William Granger Ryan. Princeton Press. 1993.
2. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-George
Images:
1. St George as the Emperor’s Patron Saint, from The Habsburg Saints, Hans Springinklee, Germany. c.a. 1516-18
2. Heiliger Georg, Hans von Kulmbach. Germany. 1510
3. St. George and the Dragon, Raphael. Italy. 1505
