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t. George  is  honored  throughout  Christendom as one  of  the  most  illustrious  martyrs  of  Jesus Christ. In the  reign  of  the  first  Christian  emperors numerous  churches  were  erected  in  his honor, and  his  tomb  in  Palestine  became  a  celebrated place  of  pilgrimage. But his  history  is involved  in  great  obscurity,  as  no  early  records of his  life  and  martyrdom  are  at  present  in  existence. The following  are  the  traditions  concerning him  which  have  been  handed  down  to  us  by the  Greek  historians,  and  which  are  celebrated  in verse  by  that  illustrious  saint  and  poet  of  the eighth century,  St. John Damascene.

St. George is  said  to  have  been  born  in  Cappadocia  of  noble  Christian  parents. After the death of  his  father,  he  traveled  with  his  mother into Palestine,  of  which  she  was  a  native. There she possessed  a  considerable  estate,  which  fell  to him  upon  her  death. Being strong  and  robust  in body,  he  embraced  the  profession  of  a  soldier,  and was made  a  tribune,  or  colonel,  in  the  army. His courage and  fidelity  attracted  the  attention  of