Today, April 23, is the memorial of Saint George.
George was a soldier of Cappadocia, in modern-day Turkey. He was a member of the Praetorian Guards for Roman emperor Diocletian.
He was firm in his Christian faith that, during the anti-Christian persecutions, he affirmed his love of God and belief in Jesus Christ. For this George was sentenced to die by beheading.
He was sentenced to death, by decapitation, for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He became one of the most venerated saints and megalo-martyrs in Christianity, and he has been especially venerated as a military saint since the Crusades.
In hagiography, he is one of the 14 Holy Helpers and one of the most prominent military saints.
George is probably best known for the legend involving his battle with the dragon. It was said that when George was in Libya, he encountered a man-eating dragon. He killed the dragon and the people were grateful to him.