Orthodox icon | Saint Great Martyr George, the Victorious | 24379

The Saint Great Martyr George the Victorious (April 23) is depicted as a soldier on horseback.

A fearsome dragon demanded human sacrifices from a city, otherwise it would wipe it out with its poisonous breath. A lottery decided the choice of victims, and when this fell on the king’s daughter, the girl was brought to the lake where the dragon lived. Before he could kill the princess, Georg, the knight from Cappadocia, appeared and swung his lance with the sign of the cross and pierced the dragon. He ordered the king’s daughter to pull the dragon through the city with her belt. Terrified, all the residents wanted to flee. George promised them to kill the dragon if they were converted to Christianity. Then Georg killed the dragon and all residents, including the king, were baptized.

The parents watch upstairs. An angel puts the crown of victory on Saint George.

Above, Christ Pantocrator, blessing.