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Born in
the Eastern
Empire around
the year
280 A.D.,
in the
city of
Cappadocia of
Asia Minor,
to a
Christian family
That was
wealthy and
of noble
origin His
father, himself,
Martyred for
his faith.
After his
father's
death,George's
mother took
him to
Palestine
where she
had some
farm land.
He followed
the usual
career of
young nobleman
and joined the Roman
Army,
where his
ability and
charm brought
him quick
promotion. the
Emperor heard
about and him
as aresult
made him
a
Tribune
or an
officer in
the Empirical
Guard. One
story says
that he
was a
friend of
Constantine another
officer,
who later
Became the
first Christian
Emperor. The
legend says
that St.
George came
with Constantine
to Britain
and visited
some
Holy
places as
Glastonbury and
Caerleon. On
his return to
Nicomedia, the
capital of
the Eastern
Empire where Diocletian
Settled,
he met
The fierce
storm of
persecution.
The Persecution
Diocletian gave
orders for
the issue
of a
formal edict
against the
Christians on
February 23,
in the
year 303
A.D.,being the
Feast of
Termhlalia. The
provisions of
this edict
which Was
published on
the next
day in
the market
place, were
as follow
All churches
Should be
leveled to
the ground.
All sacred
books to
be burned.
All Christians
who hold
any Honorable
rank Are not only to be degraded, but
to be
deprived of
civil rights.
Also, All
Christians who
are not
officials are
to not only to Be.
reduced to
slavery." with
great Courage, the
young man
George, pushed
his way
through the market place
to Read
the
Proclamation then in front of the Awestricken crown,
he deliberately
tore down
the Imperial
edict and
Threw it
away. C
Consequently
he was
arrested and
brought to thepresence
of Diocletian.
Some historians
believe that
St. George
was not
the young
man who
tore the
Proclamation, but
as the
edict was
proclaimed and
the great
Church in
Nicomedia was
Ransacked and
destroyed by
the pretorian
guard, he
liberated his
slaves, distributed
all his
Wealth to
the poor
and prepared
himself for
martyrdom.
He entered
Diocletian's
palace and
rebuked him
for his
behavior against
the Christians.
The Emperor
tried to
seduce him
by promises
that he
would be
granted a
higher position
In the
Empire. But
as these
promises failed
to attract
him, the
Emperor began
to threaten
Him with
unbearable tortures
that he
will inflict
on him.
Lastly he
put him
in prison.
Diocletian knew
that nothing,
except sin,
could destroy
the strength,
and demolish
the Integrity
of this
Saint. Thus
he arranged
for a
very beautiful
woman to
spend the
night With
him in
prison and
try to
debauch him.
Saint George
who could
only look
forward to
heavenly joy,
began to
pray and
within a
Short while
he managed
to swing
her heart
to the
Christian faith.
Soon she
seriously Began
to inquire
about salvation,
and by
the morning
she declared
that she
found her
true Bridegroom
Jesus Christ.
With great
courage she
announced her
Christianity to
the Emperor
and his
men, then
joined the
other saintly
martyrs
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