Uastyrdzhi is Ossetian folklore's Saint George. He patrons males and travelers. He guarantees oaths like Iranian Mithra, Verethragna, Fereydun. Women forbidden to pronounce his name, call him ''saint of men''. Invoked in North and South Ossetia anthems. Depicted as bearded horseman on white horse. Major ceremony at Khetag's Grove near Alagir in early July. Khetag, Alanian king's son, consecrated the grove. Another ceremony at Rekom shrine in Tsey Valley mid-June. Cult revived in Ossetian nationalism post-Soviet with claimed visitations. Russian Orthodox Church ambivalent toward him. Dzhiorguba festival in November sacrifices one-year-old bull. Bull's right horn cut off early to mark it for god. Herdsmen barred from swearing on marked bull. Shares roots with Tetri Giorgi, Uatsdin, Shatana, Saint George and Dragon.