George, a Captain in the Roman Army, tore up in defiance an edict ordering the persecution of Christians. He battled the devil, symbolized by the dragon, and saved the Holy Church. He rides a white horse that indicates God's grace carrying him to the heroism of martyrdom. He is considered one of the 14 Holy Helpers, and is the patron saint of soldiers, peasants, working animals, and the poor. He is invoked against the plague, syphilis, leprosy, snakebites and witches. He is also the avenger of women, and is usually depicted as a young knight on a horse, slaying a dragon.