THIS ICON IS THE ARTIST’S INTERPRETATION OF SAINT GEORGE
Many legends grew up about this Saint, but the most famous one is about his fight with the dragon. It happened when St. George was stationed with the Roman army Salone in Libya, North Africa. In that area a Dragon which was described as a huge crocodile with scaled wings, had eaten so many of the country folks around Salone that the remaining inhabitants fled to the town and took shelter behind its walls. There, the dragon was positioned outside the city gates, and nobody could get in or out. In order to keep the beast away from the walls, two sheep were tethered every day, some distance away. This worked well, until they ran out of sheep and the miserable people could not think of any other alternative but to sacrifice one child every day.
One day the lot fell on the King’s daughter, a girl of fourteen. The King, in his grief, told the people they could have all his gold and silver and half of his kingdom if his daughter were spared; the people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake dressed in her most splendid clothes, as if for her wedding. While she was waiting for the dragon, weeping, George the tribune came up mounted on his white horse. The King of Egypt had promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to any knight who could overcome the terrible dragon. In hearing the story, he decided to kill the dragon and put an end to the ongoing tragedy.
“Fair girl” he said, “do not be afraid, for I will save your life with the aid of my word “Jesus Christ”. When the dragon appeared George the hero engaged with the wild beast in a great combat. Finally, he managed to wound it so badly with his lance that it could fight no more. Now the two of them tied a rope around its neck, and dragged it to the town. There in the market place, in front of all the cheering inhabitants, George cut off its head. In celebration, the people of the whole town were baptized and became Christians.
The above story seems to be exaggerated. However, because of its spiritual meaning, that St. George defeated the devil by the Cross and his righteousness in Christ, it became popular the world over.
