Long, long ago, there lived a brave young soldier named George.
George was strong and clever, and he was one of the finest soldiers of all. But the most important thing about George was not his sword or his shield. It was his heart — for George loved the Lord Jesus Christ more than anything in the world.
One day, George came riding on his white horse to a faraway city. But something was wrong. The whole city was filled with fear and sadness.
"What is the matter?" George asked.
The people told him a terrible thing. "Near our city, by the lake, there lives a fearsome dragon," they said. "It is huge, with scales like iron and breath like fire. To keep it from destroying us, we must send it someone from the city. And today — oh, today the lot has fallen on the king's own daughter, the princess! She is going out to the dragon, and no one can save her."
George looked, and there by the lake stood the princess, trembling and alone, waiting for the dragon to come.
George did not run away. He turned his horse toward the lake.
"Do not be afraid," he called to the princess. "I will help you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!"
Just then, with a mighty roar, the dragon came rushing out of the water — enormous and terrible. The ground shook. Smoke poured from its nose.
But George made the sign of the Cross. "Lord Jesus, help me!" he prayed. Then he charged forward on his white horse and, with one brave thrust of his spear, he struck the dragon down. The huge beast that had frightened everyone for so long was beaten — not by George's strength alone, but by the power of God.
The people of the city could hardly believe their eyes. The princess was safe! The dragon was gone!
"How did you do it?" they cried.
"It was not me," said George. "It was the Lord Jesus Christ, the true and living God. He is the one who saved you today."
When the people heard this, their hearts were filled with wonder, and many of them came to believe in Jesus and were baptized. George had saved them from the dragon — but even better, he had shown them the way to God.
George was brave for God his whole life long. He was never afraid to say, "I belong to Jesus Christ," even when powerful people told him to stop, and he stayed faithful to the very end. Because he was so brave, the Church gave him a wonderful name: Saint George the Victorious — which means Saint George the Winner. To this very day you can see him in icons, riding his white horse, with the dragon beneath him.
So whenever you feel afraid of something big and scary, remember brave Saint George. Make the sign of the Cross, like he did, and ask the Lord Jesus for help. For God is always with you, and there is nothing too big for Him.
Holy Great Martyr George, pray to God for us!
Saint George was a soldier who lived about seventeen hundred years ago and gave his life rather than deny Christ. He is honored as a Great Martyr and remembered each year on April 23rd. The beloved story of the dragon is a picture of how God's goodness defeats evil.