St. George the Trophy-bearer

George was born in Cappadocia in the second half of the third century and rose to rank in the Roman army. When the persecution under Diocletian began he declared himself a Christian rather than conceal it, and was tortured and beheaded at Nicomedia on the twenty-third of April, 303.

He is venerated as a great-martyr and titled the Trophy-bearer. His relics were taken to Lydda in Palestine, where a church was raised over them, and his feast is kept on the day of his death.

In iconography he is shown as a young beardless soldier in armour, most often with a spear, and in the best known composition mounted and striking a serpent. The image filed here is the standing form: armour beneath a red cloak, an upright spear, a sword and shield at his side.