St. George, born of an illustrious family in Cappadocia, was promoted by Diocletian to the first ranks in the army.
When the Emperor had published at Nicomedia his first edict against the Christians, St. George reproached him for his cruelty. Immediately cast into prison, he was subjected to such atrocious torments that the Eastern Church calls him the Great Martyr. He was beheaded in 303.
This patron of armies is venerated by Greeks and Latins. Rome possesses a sanctuary erected in his honour where the Station is held on the Thursday after Ash Wednesday. England chose him for her patron in the XIIIth century. Therefore in this country his feast is a double of first class with an octave. He is one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints.
Protexisti me, Deus, a conventu malignantium, alleluja: a multitudine operantium iniquitatem, alleluja, alleluja. * Exaudi, Deus, orationem meam cum deprecor: a timore inimici eripe animam meam.
Thou hast protected me, O God, from the assembly of the malignant, alleluia: from the multitude of the workers of iniquity, alleluia, alleluia. * Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to Thee: free my soul from the fear of the enemy.
(Psalm 63:3,2 from the Introit of Mass)
Deus, qui nos beati Georgii Martyris tui meritis et intercessione laetificas: concede propitius: ut, qui tua per eum beneficia poscimus dono tuae gratiae consequamur.
O God who dost gladden us by the merits and intercession of blessed George, Thy martyr; mercifully grant that we who beseech Thy blessings through him, may obtain them by the gift of Thy grace.
(Collect)
From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06453a.htm
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