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This renowned and glorious martyr was born in Cappadocia, the son of rich
and God-fearing parents. His father suffered for Christ, after which
his mother moved to Palestine. When George grew up, he went into the
army, in which he rose, by the age of twenty, to the rank of tribune,
and as such was in service under the Emperor Diocletian.
When this Emperor began a terrible
persecution of Christians, George came before him and boldly confessed
that he was a Christian. The Emperor threw him into prison, and
commanded that his feet be put in the stocks and a heavy weight placed
on his chest. After that, he commanded that he be bound on a wheel,
under which was a board with great nails protruding, and thus be
turned. He then had him buried in a pit with only his head above the
ground, and left there for three days and nights. Then he gave him
deadly poison, but in the face of all these tortures, George prayed
unceasingly to God, and God healed him instantly and saved him from
death, to the great amazement of the people. When he also raised a dead
man to life by his prayers, many embraced the Christian faith.
Among these was the Emperor’s wife,
Alexandra, and the chief pagan priest, Athanasius, the governor
Glycerius and Valerius, Donatus and Therinus. Finally, the Emperor
commanded that George and the Empress Alexandra be beheaded. Blessed
Alexandra died on the scaffold, and St. George was beheaded. This
happened in the year 303.
The miracles that have been performed at his grave
are without number. Also are his appearances in dreams to those who,
thinking on him, have sought his help, from that time up to the present
day. Consumed by love for Christ, it was not difficult for holy George
to leave all for this love – his status, wealth and imperial favor, his
friends and the whole world. For this love, the Lord rewarded him with
a wreath of unfading glory in heaven and on earth, and with eternal
life in His kingdom. The Lord further endowed him with the power to
help in need and distress all who honor him and call on his name.
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