From the Leggenda Aurea, 1297

George is said to be named from geos, meaning “earth”, and orge, meaning “to cultivate”: as though one who cultivates the earth — that is, his own flesh. Augustine, however, says in On the Trinity that good soil is found in the heights of mountains, the temperate slopes of hills, and the level plains. The first is good for green grasses, the second for vineyards, the third for grain. Thus blessed George was lofty in despising earthly things and therefore possessed the greenness of purity; temperate through discretion and therefore had the wine of eternal joy; level through humility and therefore produced the fruit of good works.

Or he is named from gerar, meaning “sacred”, and gon, meaning “sand”: as though “sacred sand”. For he was like sand — weighty through gravity, fine through humility, and dry from carnal pleasure. Or again from gerar, “sacred”, and gyon, meaning “struggle”: as though “holy combatant”, for he struggled with the dragon and with the executioner. Or George is named from gero, meaning “pilgrim”, gir, meaning “cutting off”, and ys, meaning “counsellor”. For he was a pilgrim in contempt of the world, cut off in the crown of martyrdom, and a counsellor in the instruction of kings.

His legend is numbered among the apocryphal writings at the Council of Nicaea, because no certain historical account of his martyrdom exists. For in the calendar of Bede it is written that he suffered in the Persian city of Diospolis, formerly called Lydda, near Joppa. Elsewhere it is said that he suffered under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian; elsewhere under Diocletian with eighty kings of Persia present; elsewhere under the governor Dacian during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian.

George, a tribune by rank and a Cappadocian by birth, once came to the province of Libya, to a city called Silene. Near that city was a lake like a sea, in which lurked a poisonous dragon. Often it drove away armed crowds and, approaching the city walls, infected all with its breath. Therefore the citizens, compelled by fear, gave it two sheep daily to appease its fury; otherwise it would attack the walls and poison the air, so that many died.

When the sheep were nearly exhausted, and no supply remained, they decided by counsel to give one sheep and one human being. And when the sons and daughters of all were given by lot, sparing no one, and nearly all had been consumed, it happened one day that the king’s only daughter was chosen by lot and assigned to the dragon.

The king, grieving, said: “Take all my gold and silver and half my kingdom, and let my daughter go free.” But the people answered him angrily: “You made this decree, O king, and now all our children are dead — and you wish to save your own? Unless you fulfil in your daughter what you decreed for others, we will kill you and destroy your house.”

Seeing this, the king wept over his daughter, saying: “Alas, my sweetest child, what shall I do for you? When shall I ever see your wedding?” And turning to the people he begged for eight days’ delay to mourn his daughter. When this was granted, at the end of eight days the people returned in fury, saying: “Why do you destroy your people for your daughter’s sake? Behold, we are all dying from the dragon’s breath.”

Then the king, seeing he could not save her, clothed her in royal garments, embraced her with tears, and said: “Alas, my dearest daughter. I believed I would raise children of yours upon a royal lap, and now you go to be devoured by a dragon.” And kissing her he dismissed her, saying: “Would that I had died before you, my daughter, rather than lose you thus.”

She fell at her father’s feet, asking his blessing; and when he had blessed her with tears, she went to the lake.

By chance blessed George was passing by and saw her weeping. He asked what troubled her. She said: “Good youth, mount your horse quickly and flee, lest you perish with me.” George replied: “Do not fear, daughter, but tell me what you await here before all the people.” She answered: “I see you are brave, but you wish to die with me. Flee quickly.”

But George said: “I will not leave until you tell me everything.” When she had told him all, he said: “Do not fear, daughter, for in the name of Christ I will help you.” She replied: “Good knight, save yourself and do not perish with me; it is enough if I alone die.”

While they spoke, the dragon raised its head from the lake. The girl trembled and cried: “Flee, lord, flee quickly!” George mounted his horse, armed himself with the sign of the cross, charged the dragon boldly, struck it with his lance, wounded it grievously, cast it to the ground, and said to the girl: “Throw your belt around the dragon’s neck, without fear.” When she did so, it followed her like a tame dog.

When she led it into the city, the people fled in terror, crying: “Woe to us, we shall all perish!” George cried out: “Do not fear. The Lord sent me to free you from this dragon. Only believe in Christ, be baptised, and I will kill it.” Then the king and all the people were baptised.

George drew his sword, killed the dragon, and ordered it carried outside the city. Four yoke of oxen dragged it into a field. That day twenty thousand were baptised, not counting women and children. The king built a great church in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George, from whose altar a living spring flowed, healing all the sick. The king offered George great wealth, which he refused and ordered given to the poor. He instructed the king briefly: to care for God’s Church, honour priests, attend divine worship diligently, and remember the poor. Then he departed.

Under Diocletian and Maximian, during a great persecution, many Christians faltered and sacrificed to idols. Seeing this, George gave away all he had, cast off his military dress, clothed himself as a Christian, stood forth publicly, and cried: “All the gods of the nations are demons; the Lord made the heavens!”

The governor Dacian, enraged, ordered him tortured. He was stretched on the rack, torn with iron claws, burned with torches, and rubbed with salt. That night the Lord appeared to him in great light and strengthened him, so that he regarded the torments as nothing.

When poison failed to harm him, when wheels broke, when boiling lead refreshed him like a bath, Dacian sought to deceive him with flattery. George pretended to agree, entered the temple, prayed — and fire fell from heaven, consuming the idols, priests, and temple, and the earth swallowed their remains.

The queen Alexandra confessed Christ, was tortured, and died, receiving baptism through blood. George was sentenced to be dragged through the city and beheaded. He prayed that all who sought his help would receive it, and a voice from heaven promised it would be so. He was beheaded and crowned with martyrdom.

As Dacian returned to the palace, fire fell from heaven and consumed him and his servants.

Gregory of Tours relates that relics of Saint George could not be moved until part was left behind. In the History of Antioch it is written that Saint George appeared to the crusaders, clad in white armour with a red cross, leading them to victory at Jerusalem.