Silver coin of Russia George the Victorious (in color and with gilding) 2018 pure silver 31.1 gr. (sample 0.999)

St. George, a soldier and saint with whom the legend of the fight against the dragon is firmly linked, was born around 270 C.E. as a descendant of a noble family in Anatolian Cappadocia (possibly the city of Kayseri). Father St. George was an officer in the Roman army, but was killed by pagans. Then George and his mother went to their homeland, to Palestine, where they lived in the city of Lidda (the current Lod, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; Also Diospoli) In his new house, George became famous as a good soldier. He was brave and strong, and soon he became an officer in the Roman army, being a believing Christian.

At the age of 20, he received the title of Tribune and subsequently became a member of the personal guard of the Roman emperor Diocletian in Nicomedia. However, in 303, the emperor issued edicts allowing Christians to be persecuted and killed throughout the Empire. George was ordered to participate in the persecution. Instead, George professed his Christian beliefs and criticized imperial edicts.

Enraged, Diocletian tortured him inhumanely, and then ordered him executed, beheading him on April 23, 303 in front of the Nicomedia Defense Wall.

This barbaric act of Diocletian prompted Empress Alexandra and the pagan priest Athanasius to convert to Christianity.

George's body was transported to Lidda, where it was buried. From the very beginning, Christians began to respect him as a martyr.