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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Russia Kopek

Saint George slaying the dragon
saint george
10 Kopek, 2003
russia 10 kopek 2003Metal: Brass
Reverse: St. George


50 kopek, 2006
Metal: Brass
Diameter: 19.5mm
Reverse: St. George


Saint George (275-303) was a Roman soldier from Syria, who was in the guard of the emperor Diocletian. He is one of the most venerated saints and people throughout many countries hold him in high regard. He was immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the dragon.

According to legend, this happened in the land of Libya which was supposed to be exotic enough that a dragon may be imagined living there. So there was this plague bearing dragon which had poisoned a lake and the locals fed him two sheep daily to appease him. When they ran out of sheep, they fed the dragon their children. the child to be sent in as a sacrifice was decided by means of a lottery. One fine day the draw happened to be on the king's daughter. The king offered all his gold and silver to anyone who could save his daughter but no one came forth. Now when the princess was standing in dread of the dragon coming, Saint George happened to pass by that place. He fought the dragon and took it back to the city of Silene, the hometown of the princess. As it is the people were terrified on sight of the dragon but Saint George said that he would slay the dragon if the people converted to Christianity. They agreed and Saint George slayed the dragon. The king later made a church of the virgin Mary where the dragon was slain.

The shown portrayal of Saint George slaying has been depicted in many places throughout the ages, including paintings, coinage, wood carvings etc.

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