Saint George —
Patron Saint of Soldiers,
Farmers, Boy Scouts, England

"The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who in the New Testament is sometimes called John Mark. Both he and his mother Mary were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there.

"St. George was a soldier in the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. George was a brave Christian, and without fear, he went to the Emperor and sternly scolded him for being so cruel to Christians. Then he gave up his position in the Roman army. For this he was martyred.

Several stories have been attached to Saint George, the best known of which is the Golden Legend. In it, a dragon lived in a lake in Libya. Whole armies had gone up against this fierce creature, and had gone down in painful defeat. The monster ate two sheep each day; when mutton was scarce, lots were drawn in local villages, and maidens were substituted for sheep. Into this country came Saint George. Hearing the story on a day when a princess was to be eaten, he crossed himself, rode to battle against the serpent, and killed it with a single blow with his lance. St. George then held forth with a magnificent sermon, and converted the locals. Given a large reward by the king, St. George distributed it to the poor, then rode away.

Due to his chivalrous behavior (protecting women, fighting evil, dependence on faith and might of arms, largesse to the poor), devotion to Saint George became popular in the Europe after the 10th century. The celebrated Knights of the Garter are actually Knights of the Order of Saint George. The shrine built for his relics at Lydda, Palestine was a popular point of pilgrimage for centuries.

Prayer in Honor of St. George
"O GOD, who didst grant to Saint George strength and constancy in the various torments which he sustained for our holy faith; we beseech Thee to preserve, through his intercession, our faith from wavering and doubt, so that we may serve Thee with a sincere heart faithfully unto death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

St. George, Patron Saint of Scouting
"Prepared and alert a Scout follows the lead
Of our Patron Saint George and his spirited steed."
-Baden-Powell, Founder of World Scout Movement
in Scouting for Boys

A Soldiers' Prayer
"Almighty Father, with an upright heart I have left my dear ones at home, to defend my country against its enemies. My thoughts constantly goes back to them. They are thoughts of love and of anxiety. I ask You loving Father to keep a watchful eye over each and every one of them. Soothe their hearts and help them to bear my absence patiently. Protect them from the dreadful dangers of war.
O my Lord, I ask not much for myself - just only courage to perform my duties well. I offer You this day and every day my thoughts, words and actions of mine as prayers of faith in You, of hope in Your provident care, of love of You and Your justice. May my prayers parallel all my service and sacrifices for my fellow comrades, my family and my country, protect them all and bless them now and forever. For all those who have died welcome them into your loving embrace. Gracious Lord, lend an ear of compassion to the supplication of a soldier - your child - serving my country to the best of my ability out of love for You. Amen."

American Soldiers' Prayer
"Help me to remain true to my ideals during my service to my country. Help me be what is in America, the land of the free. May I realize that I represent what our country stands for. My uniform is a symbol of duty and valor both in peace and in war. I take up arms to defend what all Americans hold dear: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Grant me the strength to live according to these ideals, the courage of my convictions, and the resolve to endure whatever dangers threaten. With You at our side I fear no evil and resist every enemy, secure in the knowledge that you hold me in the palm of your hand. Amen."

Prayer to St. George
Heroic soldier and defender of your Faith, you dared to criticize a tyrannical Emperor and were subjected to horrible torture. You could have occupied a high military position but you preferred to die for your Lord. Obtain for us the great grace of heroic Christian courage that should mark soldiers of Christ.