There are a number of orthodox soldier saints. These saints are often depicted wearing armour and holding a cross, a common symbol of martyrdom. These images also confess that the Church does not view being a soldier as incompatible with Christian faith. It acknowledges that war is inevitable in a fallen world, just as famine and disease are.
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St. Andrew
Andrew was an officer in the Roman army during the reign of Maximian. His courage, invincibility and sense of justice earned him the title of “Stratelates.” Although he was not baptized, Andrew took the cream of the army with him to war, and taught them to pray to the one true God. He believed that by praying to God, their enemies would be turned to dust before they could fight.
The earliest Christian martyrs are not necessarily the same as the Apostle Andrew, but they do have much in common. Andrew was a soldier and a martyr, and he urged soldiers not to fear death. He was killed while on duty, but his sanctity remained intact. Andrew is also the patron of soldiers in the Catholic Church. His feast day is 19 August.
St. George
Saint George became a martyr when he refused to give up his Christian faith in the face of emperor Diocletian’s wrath. He was thrown into prison, with his legs in stocks and a heavy stone on his chest. After suffering various kinds of torture, he was finally put in a wheel, where he was beaten with oxhide whips. He was also forced to wear iron sandals with sharp nails. In addition, the emperor ordered that his head be cut off.
George was born in Cappadocia, a district of Asia Minor. His parents were Christian, and he grew up in an orthodox family. His father was martyred for his faith in Christ, and his mother owned land in Palestine. St. George was raised in a strict piety, and he entered the Roman army as a young man. Despite his youth, he was a brave and handsome soldier. Diocletian later recruited him into his army, and he was awarded the rank of comites.
St. Thomas Becket
The story of St. Thomas Becket began in the eleventh century. He was born to an upper-class family in London and was destined for the church. At an early age, he enrolled in a monastery in Surrey, where he studied and learned theology. As a young man, he was recognized for his academic excellence and became a trusted servant to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Later, he was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral. However, his sacrifice and devotion earned him a place of honor among the clergy.
Becket’s reputation spread throughout the Norman world, and his life is depicted in many medieval paintings and relics. The earliest known holy image of Becket is a mosaic icon in the Monreale Cathedral in Sicily, created shortly after his death. The saint’s family also obtained refuge at the court of King William II of Sicily, who had married the daughter of Henry II. Today, the Marsala Cathedral in western Sicily is dedicated to his memory. There are also over 45 medieval chasse reliquaries, decorated with scenes from his life. A replica of the Becket Casket, constructed at Peterborough Abbey, is displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
St. John the soldier
St. John the soldier is a saint and mighty intercessor of Christ who fought against the forces of evil and affliction. As a Christian martyr, he suffered misfortunes in this world and was imprisoned for defending Christians. In this world, he suffered from many sins, but was granted grace from God. Having been imprisoned for his faith, John the Soldier gained salvation from God when he fought on behalf of the Christian cause. Throughout the ages, he has been depicted with dark hair and a cape.
According to Christian tradition, St. John the Soldier was a Christian martyr who served in the army of Julian the Apostate. Despite being ordered by the emperor to murder Christians, he devoted himself to defending the faith. He visited the sick and consoled the grieving and decorated his life with prayer. His death is unknown, but many people believe that his relics can heal different illnesses.
St. Sebastian
St. Sebastian was a highly valued soldier, and head of the imperial guards. He secretly became a Christian during a time of persecution against Christians. He helped his brethren by staying out of sight. Many of his orthodox Christian brothers had been locked in prison and had been firmly avowed to their Faith, but their strong convictions were weakening under the pressure of their pagan parents.
During the early part of his missionary ministry, Fr. Sebastian organized Serbian church communities in various cities. During one of his visits to Jackson, he established a parish in Angels Camp, a mining town 27 miles south of the city. His parish was comprised of approximately one thousand members by 1909 and he began building a church there the following year. This church was dedicated to St. Basil of Ostrog.
St. Theagenes
The Orthodox Church celebrates the lives of two soldier saints, St. Theagenes and Gordius of Caesarea. Both were Christians in the early fourth century and were martyred for their faith. In early Christian history, soldiers who refused to join the imperial military cult were subjected to corporal punishment and torture. Since then, more military saints have been added to the list of Orthodox saints.
The saints of the orthodox church are most commonly depicted as knights or cavalrymen. In early medieval iconography, St. Theodore is depicted as a cavalryman with a draco standard. One of the earliest depictions of St. Theodore as a horseman dates to the 6th or 7th century. The “Zoodochos Pigi” chapel in central Macedonia is known to have three equestrian saints depicted.
