The Dragonslayer

George of Diospolis, patron of both England and Lebanon, was a Christian soldier of Rome's Imperium who gained fame after several daring rescues of children in distress. He was known as the "Dragonslayer" not so much because of exploits with rare and dangerous reptiles, but because of his willingness to snatch innocent life out of the jaws of death.

Eventually, he fell victim to the Emperor Diocletion's great persecution and was beheaded in Nicomedia on this day in 304. Later, innumerable legends made much of his exploits—romantically associating him with damsels and dragons—but it was his willingness to risk all for the sake of the sanctity of life that earned him his place in history.