Today is St. Georges Day, the Patron Saint of England. In society today it is far less significant an occasion than in past times, celebrated more as a patriotic day rather than a religious one. However, we know that St. George was a Christian. George of Lydda was a Christian who was born in Cappadocia, in what is now modern-day Turkey, into a noble Christian family. He became a martyr after his death for his faith on 23rd April 303. He was executed for refusing to make a sacrifice in honour of pagan gods, in the time of the emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century. He is also the patron saint of Portugal, Germany, Aragon, Genoa, and Venice.
He was a soldier and an officer in the Roman Army, but he was persecuted because he refused to denounce his faith and persecute fellow Christians. He gave away his possessions and remained true to his faith and as a result he was imprisoned, tortured, and executed.
As a Roman soldier he would have arrived in the city in splendour with a full suit of armour as he went into battle. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells them to put on the ‘armour of God’, meaning that if they put their whole trust in God, he will protect them, and they will come to no harm.
When times in life are tough and the things we are facing are difficult it is good to know that God is there with us, to protect and steer us through.
“Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11
Like Jesus, George had the courage, strength, and determination, despite his rank as a Roman soldier, and expectation that he would be loyal to that rank, to remain faithful to his beliefs. He made the ultimate sacrifice with his life to stay true to his Christian roots, and he was a role model to other Christians at that time, in how to behave.
“Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.”
Ephesians 6:13
St. George was also known for praying to God to raise the Ox back to life, and mythically for slaying the dragon (hence the images we see today of him with a dragon). The dragon is a representation of evil and as such is a reminder to us that God overcomes all evil.
So, on this day, celebrate the strength of a Christian who stayed loyal to his faith and to God, and recommit yourself to dedicate your life to God to use you in different ways and remember ...
“With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one”.
Ephesians 6:16
Kathy Shaw
Comments