ST GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1923, Page 2

ST GEORGE.

ENGLAND’S PATRON SAINT. Saint George was a Christian maityr. He was a native of Cappadocia and n military tribune under Diocletian, who was put to death at Nicomedia in the year 303. Intimate details of Its life and death are not known. He was honored in the Oriental churches, and in the l-Ith. century under King Edward 111, was adopted at the time of the Crusaders exploits in the Orient ns the patron saint of England. From the earliest times of the Crusaders lie had been a popular figure in history in England. He was said to have come to the aid of the Crusaders against the Saracens under the walls of Antioch in 1080, and was tuns chosen h\ many Normans under Robert, son of William the Conqueror, as their patron. .Many legends were connected with his name during the middle ages, the most, notable of which is the legend of his conquest of the dragon (the devil) and the delivery from it of the King’s daughter Sabra (the church). He was the Christian hero of tho middle ages. There is a well-known painting of St. George and the Dragon by Raphael (1506) a replica of which is to be found on English gold sovereigns. The painting was at St. Petersburg ill late years. The saint, chul in armour, and riding a white horse, charges tho monster and transfixes it with a spear as it turns to flee. St George wears the insignia of tho Order of the British Garter in the world famous pi. hue.