The patron saint of soldiers and boy scouts, St. George generally is depicted slaying a dragon while rescuing a damsel. Patron saint of England and Catalonia, his feast day is April 23. A soldier under Roman Emperor Diocletian, George found favor for his bravery even though Diocletian was a pagan bitterly opposed to Christianity.

While his actual acts have been debated, there’s no doubt he lived. He is believed to have been from a noble family in Lydda, Palestine and born between 275 and 285.

George stepped up for persecuted Christians under Diocletian. Arrested by Diocletian in an army purge in 302, George went from being one of the emperor’s favorites to an outcast. He was tortured and beheaded in 303. Even dying, George declared his love for God. Those declarations of faith became legendary and he soon became an honored as one of the key martyrs in Christian history.

Feast Day 23 April