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My Favourite Planet > English > Europe > Greece > Dodecanese > Kastellorizo > gallery
Kastellorizo, Greece Kastellorizo gallery 97 of 260
 

Icon of Agios Giorgos (Saint George) slaying the dragon, Kastellorizo, Greece at My Favourite Planet

Agios Giorgos Tou Pigadiou church iconostasis: Agios Giorgos (Saint George) slaying the dragon.
 

This dramatic and highly graphic depiction of Saint George on horseback slaying a ferocious dragon against a golden sky is reminiscent of modern comic book styles. In the backgound, the rescued princess watches the scene in wonder or terrified anticipation in front of a hillside castle, acccording to various traditions either the city of Silene, Libya or Lydda, Palestine.

See also the icon of Saint George in Kastellorizo Archaeological Museum on gallery page 200.

Agios Georgios (Saint George whose name means "worker of the land", i.e. farmer), the patron saint of Greece, chivalry, England, Georgia and many other places, is undoubtedly Kastellorizo's favourite holy man and there are at least five churches and chapels dedicated to him on the tiny island, for example Agios Georgos tou Horafiou in the Horafia district, not to mention the chapel on the islet of Agios Georgios off the coast of Mandraki harbour (see photos of Mandraki on gallery pages 223 and 224).

According to Christian tradition, Saint George (circa 275/281 - 23 April 303) had Christian parents and became a tribune in the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. In 302 AD the emperor ordered the arrest of all Christian soldiers. During a confrontation with Diocletian, who knew George and his father personally, George asserted his Christian belief and refused to obey the emperor's edict to worship pagan gods. Despite Diocletian's offers of wealth and subsequently torture, George held steadfast to his faith and was executed by decapitation. His martyrdom is said to have inspired many Romans to convert to Christianity, and after George's body was returned to Lydda in Palestine his tomb became a place of pilgrimage.

The dragon Saint George slew has come to symbolically represent the "evil one" (Satan), paganism and by extension non Christian religions such as Islam. In the centuries of struggle between Christian and Muslim countries, this symbolism was constantly employed to encourage Christian resistance to Arab and Turkish military expansionism.

It is therefore not surprising that an isolated island such as Kastellorizo, uncomfortably much closer to its age-old foe Turkey than to any of its Greek neighbours, should have such a strong attachment to the symbolic strength of the Saint George legend.

Saint George slaying the dragon, Kastellorizo, Greece at My Favourite Planet

Saint George in the armour of
a Roman soldier, on his white
horse, slays the dragon. The
top of his spear is a crucifux.
 

Saint George's green dragon, Kastellorizo, Greece at My Favourite Planet

The dragon in this painting
looks much more formidable
than the worm in the icon in
Kastellorizo's Archaeological
Museum
(see gallery page 200).
 

The maiden and citadel which Saint George rescued, Kastellorizo, Greece at My Favourite Planet

The maiden and citadel in the
background of the painting
are part of the traditional
iconography of the legend
of Saint George.
photo:
© David John
 
The centre of
Kastellorizo's
main port:
 

General views of the centre of Kastellorizo town, Greece at My Favourite Planet

general views
 

photos of the art and architecture of Agios Giorgos Tou Pigadiou church, Kastellorizo, Greece at My Favourite Planet

Agios Giorgos
church
 

Views around Australia Square in the centre of Kastellorizo town, Greece at My Favourite Planet

around
Australia Square
 

Views of downtown Megisti, Kastellorizo town, Greece at My Favourite Planet

downtown Megisti
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See also
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photo essays and articles
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Athens 1 (street life)

Athens 2 (Aristotle's Lyceum)

Dion

Kastellorizo

Meteora

Pella

Polygyros

Thessaloniki
 
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Olive Garden Restaurant

Kastellorizo,
Greece

+30 22460 49 109

kastellorizo.de

 

Papoutsis
Travel Agency

Kastellorizo,
Greece

+30 22460 49 286

greeklodgings.gr

 
Vyzantino Greek Restaurant, Plaka, Athens, Greece
 
NEWGEN Travel Agency, Athens, Greece
 
Hotel Orestias Kastorias Thessaloniki, Greece - The heart of hospitality beats at the heart of the city
 
Hotel Liotopi, Olympiada, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Greece
 
Hotel Germany, Olympiada, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Greece
 
Hotel Okeanis, Kavala, Macedonia, Greece
 

George Alvanos

rooms in
Kavala's historic Panagia District

Anthemiou 35,
Kavala, Greece

kavalarooms.gr

 
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