Commemorated on April
23rd
George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born
of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military
tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was
illustrious in battle and highly honored for his courage. When he learned that
the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint
George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When
threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was
put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them
by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in
his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen
Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.
His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to
Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were
finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The
translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on
November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)
Through the centuries Saint George has shown himself to be a
swift and present helper to all who call on him with faith, whether on land or
sea, to the uttermost ends of the earth; yet so many miracles have been worked
at his tomb in Lydda (the present-day Lod), that when Palestine was in the hands
of the Moslems, they took half of his church and turned it into a mosque, which
may still be seen to this day, dedicated in his honor and testifying to the
abundant power of his intercession.
The Emperor Constantine, some years after the death of Saint
George, erected the Church of St. George in his memory, setting a precedent for
the parade of churches which were to be erected in his memory in the years to
come. Saint George symbolizes the struggle against paganism and the
never-ending combat between good and evil, one of the "Sons of Light" who wages
an unending combat against the "Dragon of Darkness." In the roster of soldiers
who have become Christina saints, the name of Saint George leads all the rest.
Source: The Great Horologion (Book of Hours), translated
from the Greek by the Holy Transfiguration Monastery. Also, Orthodox Saints,
Spiritual Profiles for Modern Man April 1 to June 30, by George Poulos.
|
