Chapter X: A dedication to the Great Martyr George.
The collect of Saint George states, "… Oh, Great Martyr George..." Saint George is unique because he is honored in both the Western Church (i.e., Roman Catholic and Church of England) and in the East (Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox especially). If the Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM), of which The Community of Saint George is a part, includes independent Catholics, Anglicans, and Orthodox then the uniqueness of Saint George is like a glue that holds all these branches of the Independent Movement in balance. The Community of Saint George strives to honor the myriad branches of the ISM through the veneration of a Saint that is greatly honored by all the branches that make up the movement.
Saint George is a figure whose story has many variations and legends. A Cappadocian Greek soldier in Diocletian's Praetorian Guard. He became a martyr for the faith when he refused to renounce Jesus Christ. There is a legend of Saint George slaying a dragon, which can be viewed symbolically of slaying one's own ego and rising towards spiritual perfection. Saint George is even mentioned in some Islamic texts. He personifies everything we wish to promote. Unity, going deeper spiritually, transcendence, and more. Saint George has exoteric and esoteric meaning and this characteristic of the Saint is expressed in The Community of Saint George in that we express our Christian faith in both exoteric and esoteric ways making Saint George the perfect patron for our Community.