Russian Icon - St. George Slaying the Dragon

The oldest icons depicting Saint George as a horseman killing the dragon date to the 12th century. The motif became popular, especially in Georgian and Russian traditions, but it is also found in Greek icons. The saint is depicted in the style of a Roman cavalryman in the tradition of the "Thracian Heros." In Russian Orthodox tradition, the icon is known as "the Miracle of George and the Dragon" as well as "Saint George the Victorybearer." The Great Martyr Saint George is depicted as a mounted soldier striking with a lance a dragon beneath his horse. On the right is the town of Silene with a princess Elisaba, whose fate is in George’s hands, standing at the gate.