At the heart of the myths and legends surrounding St. George lies the story of an early Christian martyr persecuted by the Roman Empire around the third century AD. But England is only one country to have adopted this soldier saint as their patron. Others, including Germany, Hungary, and Portugal, claim him as their own. The cult of St. George is astonishingly widespread, with churches dedicated to him in Ethiopia, Egypt, and Greece. His heroic struggle and victory against the dragon can be interpreted as representing the bravery of an individual Christian or the eternal battle been good and evil. There are, however, clear parallels between his battle and those of pre-Christian heroes such as Perseus and Beowulf. St. George is also identified with the Islamic hero Al Khidr, who is said to have discovered the fountain of youth. Associated with the coming of spring and functioning as a fertility symbol, has been closely linked to the Green Man of Pre-Christian Myth. St. George has also acted as a symbol of chastity and served as a healing saint. His flag has been appropriated by the far right, but in recent times come to identify a multicultural England.