St. George was born in Cappadocia, an ancient country of East Asia Minor, toward the close of the third century, of Christian parents. In early youth he chose a soldier's life, and soon obtained the favor of Diocletian, who advanced him to the grade of tribune. When, however, the emperor began to persecute the Christians, George rebuked him openly and sternly for his cruelty. He was in consequence subjected to a lengthened series of torments and finally was beheaded at Lydda in Palestine about the year 303.

There was something so inspiring in the defiant cheerfulness of the young soldier, that every Christian felt a personal share in his triumph of Christian fortitude; and as years rolled on St. George became a type of successful combat against evil, the slayer of the dragon, the theme of camp song and story, until "so thick a shade his very glory round him made" that the real man fails to come to focus.

Beginning with the 5th century the Christians of Syria and Egypt consecrated monasteries and churches to St. George. The same thing occurred a hundred years later in France and Germany, It was in England, however, that St. George became and remained the most popular. The patron saint of our parish was chosen by England as her patron saint.

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