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SAINT GEORGE PATRON SAINT OF THE LAND FORCES

Saint George was born in Kapadokia in 270 A.D. approximately by rich and eminent parents. He obtained great learning and in a young age he joined the Roman Army where thanks to his skills and his action in war he soon acceded to the rank of Chiliarch. His future, as an Officer, looked bright. But when the Emperor of Rome Diocletianus ordered a new persecution of the Christians, Chiliarch George did not agree to arrest and deliver Christians to the tortures, as he was ordered to. Instead of it he declared and revealed with courage that he had also adopted Christianity. Diocietianus, in order to change his mind, offered him great offices and positions in the Empire. But, when he finally discovered that he did not manage to bend or at least shake his faith to Christ neither with promises nor with threats, he ordered him to be delivered to the tortures.

Chiliarch George was then subjected to the torments of hunger, thirst, and flogging. He suffered with fortitude the pain caused by the glowing sandals he was made to wear. He renounced idols with anger and remained loyal to Christ until the very last moment he died by beheading (23 April, 303 A.D.). That firm faith of the Christian Chiliarch George gave courage and spirit to all Christians, from the depths of Asia to the far, then, England and from Egypt to the people of Northern Europe. For this reason he was canonized by Christianity.

The after death miraculous appearance of Saint George is reported during the years after the fall of Constantinople and in particular during the Turks' expedition against the Christian Governor of Moldovlachia Stephanos. Threatened to be destroyed and asking for Christ's help, Stephanos saw a dream where Saint George encouraged him and told him to have faith in God and to attack against the enemy and that he will win.

The next day he explained his dream to his Troops and ordered them to attack holding in their hands the icon of Saint George. That way the Miracle happened and the enemy was defeated and made to retreat in disorder. Then Governor Stephanos put the image of Saint George to the Army flags and later, in memory of that of that fact, it was established that the Infantry Flags that have the lead in battles and sacrifices, should have the image of Saint George on them.

With a Royal Decree issued in 1864, it was instituted by the State the Army Flags to have the image of SAINT GEORGE and with another Royal Decree in 1953 it was established that the 23rd of April, the day that Saint George died a martyr, will be the feast-day of Infantry and the other Arms and Services of the Land Forces, except Artillery.

On order of the Army General Staff it has been established that every year the Patron Saint of the Land Forces (except Artillery) will be celebrated at the Infantry School Camp, with the attendance of state, political and armed forces leadership along with a lot of people. This celebration is an important event for the city of Chalkis.