St. George was one of the great martyrs of the Church. Although many things concerning his early life and history are uncertain, his missionary activities may be traced to the 4th century. During this period, the Christian community suffered a great and terrible persecution from the hands of the then emperor Diocletian and Maximian.
As a devoted knight from Cappadocia, he was called for a mission in a vision by God; to save Christians who undergo series of persecution and death for the sake of Christ. In response to the will of God, he was tortured to death by Diocletian and his members for many times through diversified means: hanging, poisoning, burning, grinding in a machine etc. but was restored back to life in good health by God. Through which people get more and more converted and martyred. The provost Datianus, who on attempt to kill George was also killed together with his idols through rains of fire from heaven. He stood firm in his believe and later converted many to Christianity including the wife and magician of the emperor.
According to history, George was able to convert the king and people of Libya by slaying the dragon which the people could not kill but was keeping it at bay by offering two sheep to it every day or persons in scarcity of sheep at intervals to the dragon.
He died in lydda (now lod, in Israel) probably during the persecution under Diocletian which started in 303 around the fifth century.
As a result of this myth he is today known as the prince of martyrs and presently the patron saint of England, Portugal, Germany, Aragon, Genoa and Venice. Pope Benedict XIV recognized him as a protector of England in 1740-58.