Martyr George of Caesarea/Kayseri (d. AD 303)

George was a brave Christian soldier in the Roman army under emperor Diocletian. When
Diocletian visited Caesarea around 303, he ordered his soldiers to show their loyalty by sacrificing to pagan gods. George refused to obey Diocletian’s command and declared his total allegiance to Jesus Christ.

George was tortured and eventually beheaded in Nicomedia (modern Izmit). His legend grew as a result of the mythical story of George saving a king’s daughter by killing a dragon. The story can also be understood symbolically as George killing Satan. This legend about George spread throughout Cappadocia and today you can visit the Cave Church of George in the Goreme Open Air Museum.