THE DRAGON OF SILENE

 

A dragon makes its nest

At the freshwater spring

The only water source

For the city of Silene

The Dragon must be lured away

Long enough to collect water

So, they temp it with a sheep

When no sheep can be found,

Then a maiden is sacrificed

The victim chosen by drawing lots

And one day it’s the Princess.

The King begs for her life

But his pleas fall on deaf ears

So, she is offered to the dragon

But George of Lydda appeared

While on his epic travels

And he faces the dragon,

After protecting himself

With the sign of the Cross

Slaying the dragon,

And rescued the princess

Then the citizens of Silene

Abandoned their paganism

And converted to Christianity

 

His feast day is April 23rd

GEORGIOS OF LYDDA

 

Saint George was born

In the town of Lydda in Palestine

Between 275 AD and 285 AD

To a Greek Christian noble family,

He was named Georgios

Meaning “worker of the land”

And served in the Roman Army

Reaching the rank of Tribunus

In the eastern city of Nicomedia

Until Emperor Diocletian

Issued an edict against Christians

Commanding they renounce their faith

Instead, George renounced the edict

Gave his wealth to the poor

And prepared himself for death

As expected, he was sentenced to death

But was tortured on a wheel of swords

Before being decapitated

In front of Nicomedia's city wall

On April 23rd 303 AD

 

His feast day is April 23rd

ACCORDING TO POPE GELASIUS

 

According to Pope Gelasius

George was among the saints

Whose names are rightly

Reverenced among men

But whose actions

Are known only to God

 

His feast day is April 23rd

NAMED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Named by the Catholic Church

As one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Christian martyr, St George of Lydda

Was a Venerated soldier saint

Legendary vanquisher of dragons

And the Patron saint of England 

ARE YOU WEARING A RED ROSE?

 

Are you wearing a red rose?

England’s floral emblem

A sweet-smelling symbol,

Displayed out of patriotism