Saint George was born in Cappadocia, to a Christian noble family during the late third century. He became a tribune in Diocletian Army, but was later executed by decapitation, for protesting Diocletian’s persecution of Christians and for refusing to recant his Christian faith.

St George was canonised in AD 494 by Pope Gelasius, who claimed he was one of those 'whose names are justly revered among men but whose acts are known only to God'. In 1348 Edward III of England chose Saint George as the patron saint of his Order of the Garter.

He is the patron saint of England and his cross forms the national flag of England, and features within the Union Flag of the United Kingdom, and other national flags containing the Union Flag St George is the patron of soldiers, armourers, farmers and even sufferers of the plague and syphilis. The feast of St George is celebrated on 23 April, his martyrdom day.