Saint George
the Great Martyr & Trophy-Bearer
ApolytikionDismissal Hymn of the Saint
Tone Fourὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής, καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
As the deliverer of captives and defender of the poor, the physician of the sick and champion of kings, O Trophy-Bearer Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
KontakionHymn of the Feast
Tone FourCultivated by God, you were shown to be a most honourable husbandman of true devotion, gathering for yourself the sheaves of virtue. For you sowed in tears, yet you reap with gladness; you contended unto blood, and you won Christ. And by your intercessions, O holy one, you obtain for all the forgiveness of sins.
His Holy Life
Saint George was born in the late third century to a devout Christian family. His father, a soldier, came from Cappadocia and was martyred for Christ; his mother was from Lydda (Diospolis) in Palestine, where the young George was raised.
Entering the Roman army, George rose swiftly by his courage and bearing, becoming a tribune and officer in the guard of the Emperor Diocletian. When the Emperor unleashed his great persecution against the Christians, George gave away his wealth to the poor, freed his servants, and stood before Diocletian to confess Christ openly, refusing every honour offered to make him deny the Faith.
There followed a long succession of fearful tortures, which the Saint endured by the grace of God, and through which many pagans — even the Empress Alexandra — were brought to faith in Christ. At last he was beheaded on Friday, 23 April, in the year 303. For the steadfastness of his witness the Church names him Megalomartyr, the Great Martyr, and Tropaiophoros, the Trophy-Bearer — the one who carries the trophy of victory won by the Cross.
The beloved account of George and the dragon is venerated in the Church as an icon of the truth: the Saint, by the power of Christ, delivers the people from the serpent — that is, from the devil — and turns a city to the living God.
The Holy Relics
The body of Saint George was returned to Lydda (Lod) in Palestine, the home of his mother, and there a great church was raised over his tomb. To this day the faithful keep his memory in that place, and Arabic-speaking Orthodox Christians of Palestine, Lebanon and Syria revere him as their own. The Church keeps the Translation of his Relics on the third of November.
Across the centuries, fragments of his holy relics have been carried to monasteries, cathedrals and shrines throughout the Orthodox world — to Mount Athos, to Constantinople, and to many lands — that the faithful everywhere might draw near and ask the Great Martyr's prayers.
Light a CandleStand before the Saint and offer your prayer
Holy Great Martyr George, pray to God for us.