Saint Theodore (left) and Saint George (right) shown side by side as equestrian heroes. Theodore kills a dragon and George a human enemy. Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai, 9th or 10th century
In the Georgian Orthodox Church (or Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia) Saint George is celebrated twice a year:
November 23rd – remembering the torture of Saint George on the “breaking wheel” for refusing to denounce hie belief in Christianity and refusing to honor Roman gods.
May 6th – remembering the execution by beheading of Saint George.
Saint George served in the Roman army at Lydda, now in modern-day Israel. He was a Christian at a time when Rome was ruled by Roman emperor Diocletian (or Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus) (who was anti-Christian).
In February of the year 303 an edict issued by Diocletian mandated that all Christian in the Roman army be arrested and all other soldiers were to offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods.
George refused and publicly claimed himself to be a Christian.
Attempts were made to convert George (including offering him gifts). George refused and Diocletian ordered his execution for failure to obey the edict.
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