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— The story of St. George (d. 303) is quite similar to that of his fellow Christians martyred under Diocletian’s notorious rule, but for one famous tale… St. George courageously slayed a dragon to protect the village people and a princess from being sacrificed. ‘The dragon’ would not appear though until many centuries after his martyrdom.
— The myth of St. George and the Dragon originated in stories by the Crusaders who had learned of George’s valiance and bravery. Venerated as the warrior saint during the Middle Ages, the legend of St. George continues as a symbol of courage and triumph over the force of evil.
(The feast of St. George, ordinarily celebrated on April 23, is superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.)