George [23 April]

 

Geogre,Tribune, Martyr
[23 April]

O Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant George boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Patron Saint of England. The cry in the Crusades was, "God for Harry, George, and England". George was a Tribune who suffered at Lydda (Diospolis) in Palestine. The English wore his red cross on their Tunics in the Crusades. The Golden Legend of 1256 featured a story of George slaying a dragon and credited him with saving a damsel. His cross is visible on the Brittish Flag, and was on the first American flag as part of the Union.

Here is David Wood's excellent site on George from his Military Martyrs:

Commentary

We often look for Centuions, like the ledgendary George, who come forth to valiantly to save the weaker of our society from Evil. That is the meaning of George's symbol and myth, for the dragon represents that old Serpent whose intent is to bring evil upon mankind.  I shared the appointed Gospel for the Sunday with my dear aunt, a retired college professor. She wrote back and reminded me that Jesus said the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. She told me that this week we witnessed such a good shepherd:  Professor Liviu Librescu of Virginia Tech barracaded the door of his classroom as his students escaped through the windows while the evil gunman stormed against the door bent on killing as many as he could.  See more here. http://www.isrealli.org/virginia-tech-tragedy-prof-liviu-librescu-among-the-victims/

 

/msc