Saint George (
Georgios; ; to 23 April 303), according to legend, was a soldier in the
Roman army who later became venerated as a
Christian martyr. His parents were
Christians of Greek background; his father Gerontius was a Roman army official from
Cappadocia and his mother Polychronia was a Christian from
Lydda in the Roman province of
Syria Palaestina (
Palestine). Accounts differ regarding whether George was born in Cappadocia or Syria Palaestina, but agree that he was raised at least partly in Lydda. Saint George became an officer in the Roman army in the Guard of
Diocletian, who ordered his death for failing to recant his Christian faith.