Gregory the victorious biography. George the Victorious - biography, photo
wrote on his blog brief reference about St. George in connection with the discussion of the reconstruction of Victory Square in Ivanovo - especially for bloggers. I bring it in full. I hope that those who write various insults and continue to troll will read it. And if they want to remember and know the past, let them know it not only for the last 100 years. The history of our country is centuries-old, and for 70 years, if someone has forgotten it, you can recall it. And for those who are especially stubborn, who believe that St. George is related only to Moscow (and has nothing to do with Ivanov at all), it is worth knowing that Yaroslav the Wise founded the monasteries of St. George in Kiev and Novgorod in the 1030s and commanded throughout Rus' " make a feast” of St. George. And first of all, St. George has been the image of the defender of the Motherland for many centuries. So before blogging: "A people that does not know its past has no future!", I hope they look into the depths of centuries and themselves ...And now the text from Abbot Vitaly about St. George:
The Great Martyr George was the son of rich and pious parents who raised him in the Christian faith. He was born in the city of Beirut (in ancient times - Belit), at the foot of the Lebanese mountains.
Enrolling in military service, Great Martyr George stood out among other soldiers with his mind, courage, physical force, military posture and beauty. Having soon reached the rank of commander, St. George became the favorite of Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian was a talented ruler, but a fanatical follower of the Roman gods. Having set himself the goal of reviving dying paganism in the Roman Empire, he went down in history as one of the most cruel persecutors of Christians.
Having once heard an inhuman verdict on the extermination of Christians at the trial, St. George was inflamed with compassion for them. Foreseeing that he, too, would suffer suffering, George distributed his property to the poor, set his slaves free, appeared to Diocletian and, declaring himself a Christian, denounced him of cruelty and injustice. Speech of St. George was full of strong and convincing objections to the imperial order to persecute Christians.
After futile persuasion to renounce Christ, the emperor ordered the saint to be subjected to various torments. St. George was imprisoned, where they laid him on his back on the ground, put his feet in stocks, and placed a heavy stone on his chest. But St. George courageously endured suffering and glorified the Lord. Then the tormentors of George began to excel in cruelty. They beat the saint with ox sinews, wheeled him, threw him into quicklime, forced him to run in boots with sharp nails inside. The holy martyr endured everything patiently. In the end, the emperor ordered that the head of the saint be cut off with a sword. Thus the holy sufferer departed to Christ in Nicomedia in the year 303.
Great Martyr George for courage and for the spiritual victory over the tormentors who could not force him to renounce Christianity, as well as for miraculous help to people in danger - is also called the Victorious. The relics of St. George the Victorious were laid in the Palestinian city of Lida, in the temple that bears his name, while his head was kept in Rome in a temple also dedicated to him.
On the icons of St. George is depicted sitting on a white horse and striking a serpent with a spear. This image is based on tradition and refers to the posthumous miracles of the Holy Great Martyr George. They say that not far from the place where St. George in the city of Beirut, a snake lived in the lake, which often devoured the people of that area.
The superstitious people of that area, in order to quench the fury of the serpent, began regularly by lot to give him a young man or a girl to be eaten. Once the lot fell on the daughter of the ruler of that area. She was taken to the shore of the lake and tied, where she waited in horror for the appearance of a snake.
When the beast began to approach her, a bright young man suddenly appeared on a white horse, who struck the snake with a spear and saved the girl. This young man was the holy Great Martyr George. With such a miraculous phenomenon, he stopped the destruction of young men and women within the boundaries of Beirut and converted to Christ the inhabitants of that country, who had previously been pagans.
It can be assumed that the appearance of St. George on a horse to protect the inhabitants from a snake, as well as the miraculous revival of a farmer’s only ox described in his life, served as a reason for the veneration of St. George as the patron of cattle breeding and a protector from predatory animals.
In pre-revolutionary times, on the day of memory of St. George the Victorious, the inhabitants of Russian villages for the first time after a cold winter drove their cattle to pasture, performing a prayer service to the holy great martyr with sprinkling houses and animals with holy water. The day of the Great Martyr George is also popularly called "St. George's Day", on this day, until the reign of Boris Godunov, peasants could move to another landowner.
George, the Great Martyr and the Victorious, is one of the most popular Christian saints, the hero of numerous legends and songs among all Christian peoples and Muslims.
The image of George the Victorious on a horse symbolizes the victory over the devil - the "ancient serpent" (Rev. 12, 3; 20, 2).
Saint George the Victorious from ancient times was considered the patron of the Russian army.
The George Cross is a symbol of soldier's prowess and glory.
The name of St. George the Victorious fit into thousand years of history Russian state. The image of George the Victorious, a copy of the striking serpent, adorns the coat of arms of the city of Moscow. Since the reign of Prince Dmitry Donskoy, Saint George has been considered the patron saint of Moscow. The coat of arms of Moscow traditionally depicts St. George, piercing a serpent - Satan - with a spear. George the Victorious - the patron saint of all valiant warriors fighting in different times for faith and the Fatherland.
Saint George became perfect way warrior, defender of the Motherland. In Rus', icons depicting St. George became known already in the 12th century:
spear, sword, chain mail - the attributes of a warrior.
A scarlet cloak thrown over his shoulder is a symbol of martyrdom.
In Rus', in honor of the patron saint of warriors, George the Victorious, the order was established on December 9 (November 26, old style) in 1769 by Empress Catherine II and was awarded to soldiers solely for bravery on the battlefield. The Order of St. George was divided into four classes, or degrees, when established. Moreover, there was the highest command "this order should never be removed" and "the order granted by this order should be called holders of the Order of St. George."
There was another award, the insignia of the military order - an award badge for soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the Russian army from 1807 to 1917 - the St. George Cross, established by Emperor Alexander I. The motto of the award: "For service and courage." For centuries, there was no higher military distinction in Russia than the “Cavalier of St. George”.
In 1819, by decree of Emperor Alexander I, the St. George flag was established. In the center of the crosshairs of the famous St. Andrew's flag, a red shield was placed with the image of St. George the Victorious. As high award the flag was awarded to a ship whose crew showed courage and bravery in achieving victory or in defending the honor of the navy.
After the presentation of the St. George flag, the sailors received the right to wear the St. George ribbon on a peakless cap. Its five stripes of black and orange meant gunpowder and flame.
St. George's silver trumpets appeared in 1805. They were wrapped around with St. George's ribbon with tassels of silver thread, and on the bell of the St. George's pipes, the sign of the Order of St. George was also strengthened.
Knights of St. George - heroes of the history of the Fatherland.
Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745-1813) - was one of four people who were awarded all the degrees of the military order of St. George.
Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818)
Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich (1782-1856)
Ivan Ivanovich Dibich (1785-1831)
General A.P. Ermolov (1777-1861)
Heroes of the First World War:
Strakhov Aleksey - sergeant major of the 16th East Siberian Rifle Regiment, full St. George Knight, who received all four St. George's Crosses during the 1st World War
As a sign of special distinctions, for the shown personal courage and dedication, the St. George's Golden Weapons were awarded - a sword, a dagger, a saber.
The priests also became knights of St. George. Behind each such award - unprecedented feats on the battlefield. The history of the Fatherland knows eighteen such names.
Father Vasily Vasilkovsky - Order of St. George IV degree. War of 1812.
Father Iov Kaminsky was awarded the Order of St. George in the Russian-Turkish campaign in 1829.
Archpriest John Pyatibokov - Order of St. George IV degree and a pectoral cross on the St. George ribbon for exploits during the defense of Sevastopol in 1855.
Father John Straganovich was awarded a gold pectoral cross on the St. George Ribbon for his exploits in the Russo-Japanese War
The golden pectoral cross on the St. George ribbon has become not only a very honorable, but also a relatively rare military award; before the Russo-Japanese War, only 111 people were awarded it. And behind each award - a specific feat.
In honor of the Order of St. George and his military knights, one of the best ceremonial halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, built in mid-nineteenth century.
In this Hall of Military Glory, the names of 11,000 Knights of St. George are inscribed in gold letters on marble plaques. Among them - Georgy Zhukov.
The black and orange colors of the St. George Ribbon have become a symbol of military prowess and glory in Russia, moving to some orders and medals. Soviet Union And Russian Federation.
In October 1943, on the initiative of I.V. Stalin, the Order of Glory was established, which was awarded to privates and sergeants of the Red Army, and in aviation and to persons with the rank of junior lieutenant, who showed glorious feats of courage, courage and fearlessness in battles for the Soviet Motherland . The colors of the ribbon of the Order of Glory repeat the colors of the ribbon of the Russian Imperial Order of St. George.
On March 20, 1992, the Order of George was restored by the Decree of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation.
The statutes of the Order of George and the George Cross were developed later and approved by President V. Putin on August 8, 2000.
"George Ribbon" - a public action dedicated to the celebration of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic war running since 2005. The purpose of the action is not to let the new generations forget who and at what cost won the most terrible war of the last century, whose heirs we remain, what and whom we should be proud of, who to remember
In the Orthodox Church, several holidays have been approved in memory of the Great Martyr and Victorious George:
Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious. Memorial Day April 23 (old style) / May 6 (new style).
Consecration of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George in Lydda. Memorial Day November 3 (old style) / November 16 (new style).
The wheeling of the Holy Great Martyr George. November 10 (old style) / November 23 (new style).
Consecration of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious in Kyiv. November 26 (old style) / December 9 (new style).
In Cappadocia, in noble family the pagan Gerontius and the Christian Polychronia. Mother raised George in the Christian faith. One day, falling ill with a fever, Gerontius, on the advice of his son, called on the name of Christ and was healed. From that moment on, he also became a Christian, and was soon honored to accept torment and death for his faith. This happened when George was 10 years old. The widowed Polychronia moved with her son to Palestine, where her homeland and rich possessions were.
Having entered the military service at the age of 18, George stood out among other soldiers with his mind, courage, physical strength, military posture and beauty. Having soon reached the rank of tribune, he showed such courage in battle that he drew attention to himself and became the favorite of the emperor Diocletian, a talented ruler, but a fanatical follower of the pagan Roman gods, who perpetrated one of the most severe persecutions of Christians. Not yet aware of George's Christianity, Diocletian honored him with the rank of committee and governor.
From the time George became convinced that the unrighteous plan of the emperor to exterminate Christians could not be canceled, he decided that the time had come that would serve to save his soul. He immediately distributed all his wealth, gold, silver and precious clothes to the poor, gave freedom to the slaves who were with him, and ordered those slaves who were in his Palestinian possessions that some of them be freed and others handed over to the poor. After that, he appeared at a meeting of the emperor and the patricians on the extermination of Christians and courageously denounced them for cruelty and injustice, declaring himself a Christian and throwing the crowd into confusion.
When the Great Martyr George was in prison, people came to him who believed in Christ from his miracles, gave gold to the guards, fell at the feet of the saint and instructed him in the holy faith. By invoking the name of Christ and the sign of the cross, the saint also healed the sick, who came to him in the dungeon in multitudes. Among them was the farmer Glycerius, whose ox was smashed to death, but was brought back to life through the prayer of St. George.
In the end, the emperor, seeing that George did not renounce Christ and was leading more and more people to faith in Him, decided to arrange the last test and invited him to become his co-ruler if he sacrificed to the pagan gods. George proceeded with the emperor to the temple, but instead of sacrificing, he expelled the demons that lived in the statues from there, which caused the idols to be crushed, and the assembled people attacked the saint in a rage. Then the emperor ordered to cut off his head with a sword. Thus the holy sufferer departed to Christ in Nicomedia on April 23rd.
Relics and veneration
The servant of George, who recorded all his exploits, also received from him a covenant to give his body to burial in the ancestral Palestinian possessions. The relics of St. George were laid in the Palestinian city of Lydda, in a temple that received his name, while his head was kept in Rome in a temple also dedicated to him. St. Demetrius of Rostov adds that his spear and banner were also preserved in the Roman temple. The right hand of the saint now resides on Mount Athos in the monastery of Xenophon in a silver reliquary.
Great Martyr George for courage and for the spiritual victory over the tormentors who could not force him to renounce Christianity, as well as for miraculous help to people in danger, began to be called the Victorious.
Saint George became famous for his great miracles, of which the most famous is his miracle of the serpent. According to legend, a snake lived in a lake near the city of Beirut, which often devoured the people of that area. Superstitious inhabitants, in order to quench the fury of the serpent, began regularly by lot to give him a young man or a girl to be eaten. Once the lot fell on the daughter of the ruler. She was taken to the shore of the lake and tied, where she began to expect the appearance of a monster in horror. When the beast began to approach her, a bright young man suddenly appeared on a white horse, struck the snake with a spear and saved the girl. This young man was St. George, who by his appearance stopped the sacrifices and converted to Christ the inhabitants of that country, who had previously been pagans.
The miracles of St. George served as a reason to venerate him as the patron of cattle breeding and the protector from predatory animals. George the Victorious has also long been revered as the patron of the army. "George's miracle about the serpent" is a favorite plot in the iconography of the saint, who is depicted riding a white horse, striking a serpent with a spear. This image also symbolizes the victory over the devil - the "ancient serpent" (Rev. 12, 3; 20, 2).
In Georgia
in the Arab countries
In Rus'
In Rus', special veneration of the Great Martyr George spread from the first years after the adoption of Christianity. Blessed Prince Yaroslav the Wise, in holy baptism George, following the pious custom of Russian princes to found churches in honor of their guardian angels, laid the foundation for a temple and a male monastery in honor of the Great Martyr George. The temple was located in front of the gates of Hagia Sophia in Kyiv, Prince Yaroslav spent a lot of money on its construction, and took part in the construction of the temple big number builders. On November 26, the temple was consecrated by St. Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kyiv, and an annual celebration was established in honor of this event. On "St. George's Day", as it began to be called, or on "autumn George" until the reign of Boris Godunov, peasants could freely move to another landowner.
The image of a horseman slaying a serpent, known on Russian coins from an early time, later became a symbol of Moscow and the Muscovite state.
In pre-revolutionary times, on the day of memory of St. George, the inhabitants of Russian villages for the first time after a cold winter drove their cattle to pasture, performing a prayer service to the holy great martyr with sprinkling houses and animals with holy water.
In England
Saint George has been the patron saint of England since the time of King Edmund III. The English flag is the George Cross. English literature has repeatedly turned to the image of St. George as the embodiment of "good old England", in particular in the famous ballad of Chesterton.
Prayers
Troparion, tone 4
Like a captive liberator / and a defender of the poor, / a weak doctor, / champion of kings, / victorious Great Martyr George, / pray to Christ God / / save our souls.
Ying troparion, the same voice
You fought a good feat, / passion-bearing of Christ, / by faith and tormentors you denounced wickedness, / but a sacrifice acceptable to God was offered to you.
Kontakion, tone 4(Similar: Ascended:)
Cultivated by God, you appeared / the most honest worker of piety, / having gathered the handles of virtues: / having sowed in tears, reap with joy, / having suffered the blood, you received Christ / and with prayers, holy forgive, yours / / all sins.
Kontakion from the Renovation Service of St. George's Church in Lydda, Tone 8(Similar to: Chosen One:)
To your chosen and speedy intercession / run, faithful, / we pray to be delivered, passion-bearing Christ, / from the temptations of enemies singing thee, / and all sorts of troubles and anger, let us call: // Rejoice, martyr George.
Troparion from the consecration service of the Church of the Great Martyr. George in Kyiv, tone 4
They blazed the ends of the world,/ God's miracles are harassed,/ and the earth is wounded up by your crown./ Christ's reality of God, more likely, is more likely. pray with faith and supplication to those who come to your holy temple / give the cleansing of sins, / / pacify the world and save our souls.
Kontakion from the consecration service of the Church of the Great Martyr. George in Kyiv, tone 2(Similar to: Solid:)
The divine and crowned Great Martyr of Christ George, / against the enemies of the victory of the overcoming, / having descended by faith into the consecrated temple, let us praise, / God be pleased to create him in his name, / One in the saints rest.
Used materials
- St. Dimitri Rostovsky, Lives of the Saints:
1. The Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious (Saint George, George of Cappadocia, George of Lydda; Greek Άγιος Γεώργιος) is one of the most revered saints in our Church, was born in Cappadocia (a region in Asia Minor), into a Christian family.
2. His father was martyred for Christ when George was still a child. After the death of her husband, the mother of the saint, who owned estates in Palestine, took her son to his homeland and raised him in strict piety. When the young man was 20 years old, his mother died, leaving him a rich inheritance.
3. Having reached the required age, George entered the military service, where he, distinguished by intelligence, courage and physical strength, became one of the commanders and favorite of Emperor Diocletian.
4. Having learned about the emperor's decision to grant all rulers complete freedom in reprisals against Christians, Saint George distributed his inheritance to the poor, appeared to the emperor and confessed himself a Christian. Diocletian immediately condemned his commander to torture.
"George's Miracle about the Serpent". Icon, late 14th century
5. For 8 days the inhuman torments of the saint continued, but every day the Lord strengthened and healed his confessor.
6. Deciding that George was using magic, the emperor ordered the sorcerer Athanasius to be called. When the saint was not harmed by the potions offered by the sorcerer, the martyr was asked to resurrect the deceased in order to shame the faith of the saint and God in whom he believes. But, through the prayers of the martyr, the earth shook, the dead man got up and left his tomb. Many believed then, seeing such a miracle.
Life icon of St. George
7. On the last night before the execution, the Lord Himself appeared to the martyr, Who laid a crown on the head of the great martyr and said: "Do not be afraid, but be of good cheer and you will be able to reign with Me."
8. The next morning, Diocletian made a last attempt to break the saint and invited him to sacrifice to idols. Going to the pagan temple, George cast out demons from the idols, the idols fell and were broken.
The beheading of St. George. Fresco by Altichiero da Zevio in the Chapel of San Giorgio, Padua
9. On the same day, April 23 (O.S.), 303, Saint George accepted a martyr's death. Calmly and courageously, the great martyr George bowed his head under the sword.
10. On the day of St. George, the Church celebrates the day of memory of Empress Alexandra, the wife of Emperor Diocletian, who, seeing the faith and suffering of the saint, confessed herself a Christian and was immediately sentenced to death by her husband.
Paolo Uccello. Battle of St. George with a serpent
11. One of the most famous posthumous miracles of St. George is his victory over the serpent (dragon), which devastated the land of one pagan king. When the lot fell to give the king's daughter to be torn to pieces by the monster, the great martyr George appeared on horseback and pierced the serpent with a spear, saving the princess from death. Apparition of the saint and miraculous salvation people from the serpent led to mass conversion local residents into Christianity.
Tomb of St. George the Victorious in Lod
12. St. George is buried in the city of Lod (formerly Lydda), in Israel. A temple was built over his tomb ( en:Church of Saint George, Lod), which belongs to the Jerusalem Orthodox Church.
Holy Great Martyr GEORGE THE VICTORIOUS (†303)
On May 6 (April 23), believers of the Orthodox Church celebrate the day of remembrance of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, on the day of his repose.
The Holy Great Martyr George lived in 284-305. during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian. He was the son of wealthy and noble parents who professed the Christian faith. When George was still a child, his father was tortured for confessing Christ. Having received an excellent education and distinguished by a strong physique, beauty and courage, the young man already at the age of 20 became one of the people closest to the emperor.
Saint George was born in the city of Beirut ( in ancient times - Belit), in Cappadocia, no later than 276 in a family of rich and pious parents who raised him in the Christian faith.
George received an excellent education and, distinguished by physical strength, beauty and courage, at a young age entered the military service.
For his excellent knowledge of military affairs, George, at the age of 20, was appointed head of the illustrious cohort of invictiors (invincible). During the war between the Romans and the Persians (296-297), George showed amazing courage, for which he was appointed by the emperor as a comite (companion) - an associate of the emperor, accompanying him during his travels and receiving maintenance.
Emperor Diocletian ruled from 284 to 305 and was an ardent adherent of the ancient Roman religion, spending huge sums of money on the construction of pagan temples. He accused Christian priests of witchcraft, with which, in his opinion, they frustrated all his undertakings. On February 23, 303, the emperor issued the first edict against Christians: “destroy churches to the ground, burn holy books and deprive Christians of honorary positions."
Soon after it imperial palace Nicomedia was twice engulfed by fire. This coincidence was the reason for the unsubstantiated accusation of arson against Christians. The greatest persecution in the history of Christianity began. Diocletian drew his sword on the righteous people of God. Instead of criminals, the dungeons were filled with confessors true God. The first victims were Christians serving in the imperial army.
Being once in the judgment seat and hearing the lawless and terrible judgment about the extermination of Christians, George was inflamed with holy zeal for the faith. He distributed everything he had to the poor: gold, silver, precious clothes, freed the slaves on his estates and decided to stand for Christ to the death, embarked on the path of struggle with the emperor Diocletian, realizing that the time had come that would serve to save his soul.
At the last meeting of the emperor with like-minded people, George boldly spoke: “How long will it take you, king, and you, princes and advisers, to commit evil deeds? You are deluded by worshiping idols. The true God is Jesus Christ persecuted by you. I am a servant of Christ my God and have come here to bear witness to the truth.” The enraged king ordered his squires to imprison George, put his feet in the logs, and put a heavy stone on his chest. Then Diocletian ordered to bring a newly invented instrument of torture - a wheel with iron points driven into it. When, after the breaking of the wheel, everyone recognized the righteous man as dead, suddenly there was a clap of thunder and the words were heard: “Do not be afraid, George! I'm with you!" George, healed by the Angel, himself got off the wheel, glorifying God. Seeing the miraculous salvation of George, the royal dignitaries Anthony, Protoleon and Empress Alexandra wanted to accept Christianity. For the confession of Christ, the king ordered the dignitaries to be seized, taken out of the city and beheaded. Tsarina Alexander was ordered to be locked up in the palace, and St. George was covered with quicklime for three days. Three days later the emperor ordered that the bones of the martyr be dug up, but the servants found Saint George unharmed and brought him before the king.
“Tell George,” Diocletian asked, “where does such strength come from in you and what kind of magic do you use?” “King,” George answered, you blaspheme God. Tempted by the devil, you are mired in the delusions of paganism and call the miracles of my God performed before your eyes a spell. Diocletian ordered to put boots with nails inside on George's feet and drive him to the very dungeon with beatings and swearing.
The nobleman Magnentius suggested that Diocletian turn to the famous sorcerer Athanasius. When the sorcerer came to the palace, the emperor said to him: "Either defeat and destroy the sorcery of George and make him obedient to us, or take his life."
In the morning in court, Athanasius showed two vessels and ordered the condemned to be brought. “If a madman drinks from the first vessel,” said the sorcerer, “he will be submissive to the royal will; from the second drink he will die.” Having drunk from both vessels, George remained unharmed, while Athanasius himself believed and confessed Christ before everyone as the all-powerful God. For this he was executed by the emperor.
Saint George was again imprisoned. The people, who believed in miracles and converted to Christianity, bribe the guards to see the saint and receive guidance and help.
The royal advisers asked to condemn George because many people turn away from their pagan gods. On the night before the new test, George prayed earnestly, and when he dozed off, he saw the Lord in a dreamy vision. Christ embraced him, laid a crown on the head of the martyr and said: “Do not be afraid, but dare. You will soon come to Me in the Kingdom of Heaven."
Diocletian ordered that George be brought to the temple of Apollo and began to persuade him to bring a sacrifice to the idols. Saint George turned to the statue of Apollo: “Do you want to accept a sacrifice from me, like a god?” The evil demon who lived in the idol proclaimed the whole truth about himself: “I am not a god. The true God is the Christ you confess." “How dare you stay here when the servant of the true God has come?!” George said. After St. George made the sign of the cross, the temple was filled with groans, the demons left the idols and the statues collapsed.
Zealous pagans and priests rushed to beat the saint and demanded that the emperor kill George. Queen Alexandra, hearing the noise and screams, hurried to the temple and threw herself at the feet of George with the words: “God George, help me! You alone are all-powerful." Diocletian. Seeing Empress Alexandra at the feet of the condemned man, he asked in amazement: “What is the matter with you, Alexandra? Why do you join the sorcerer and sorcerer and shamelessly renounce our gods? Saint Alexandra turned away and did not answer the emperor. Enraged, Diocletian immediately issued a death sentence to both.
The soldiers led the martyrs outside the city to the place of execution. The most noble empress joyfully followed Saint George. She fervently prayed, calling on the name of the Lord, fixing her eyes to heaven. On the way, the queen became exhausted, sat down on the road near the wall and surrendered her spirit to God.
When Saint George was brought to the place of execution, he asked to be released from the shackles and began to pray aloud. Then Saint George bowed his head and was beheaded with a sword. The death of the Holy Great Martyr George occurred April 23, 303 , Friday, at seven o'clock in the evening.
The Passion-Bearer George confessed Christ when the darkness of insane idolatry spread throughout the Universe and courageously endured the most severe tortures that human flesh has ever been subjected to, and emerged from this battle victorious over the enemy of the human race, for which he was named Victorious by the Holy Church.
Merciful and philanthropic God, for our benefit, edification and salvation, was pleased to magnify the name of George the Victorious with unusual miracles and signs performed by the saint after his blessed death. Of the many miracles performed by the holy great martyrs George, the most famous is his victory over the offspring of the devil - a huge serpent.
In the homeland of the saint, near the city of Beirut, there was a lake in which lived a huge and terrible snake, resembling a dragon in appearance. Coming out of the lake, he devoured people, sheep, devastated the surroundings, filled the air with a poisonous stench, from which people were poisoned and died. To appease the monster, the inhabitants, on the advice of the pagan priests, began to cast lots, to give their children as a sacrifice to the serpent. Finally, the turn came to the only daughter of the king. The girl, who was distinguished by unprecedented beauty, was brought to the lake and left in her usual place.
At a time when the people looked at the princess from a distance and expected her death, Saint George suddenly appeared on a white horse with a spear in his hand and said to the queen: “Do not be afraid, girl, in the name of my God, Jesus Christ, I will save you and your people from the serpent” .
Seeing the snake, he signed himself with the sign of the cross and with the words “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!” rushed at the monster, shaking his spear. The rider pressed the larynx of the snake to the ground with a spear, and the horse began to trample the monster, like a meek dog. The inhabitants took to flight. But St. George stopped them: “Do not be afraid and trust in Almighty God. Believe in Christ. He sent me to deliver you from the serpent." After these words, Saint George took out his sword and killed the snake, and the inhabitants burned the monster. Seeing the great miracle, the tsar and the townspeople believed in Christ, having received holy baptism.
The Holy Great Martyr George is the patron of the army. Many victories of the Russian army are associated with the name of George the Victorious, he is especially loved and revered by the people.
St. George is widely revered not only in Russia, but also in Georgia, Arab countries and England.
He is considered the heavenly patron of Georgia and is the most revered saint among Georgians. In many languages, Georgia is called "George", and at one time the version was widely spread that this name was given in honor of the Holy Victorious.
The veneration in the Arab lands is connected with the traditions of many of his miracles, beginning with the miracle of the serpent. Another notable miracle, reflected in the typical local iconography of the saint, is the miracle at Ramel. A certain Saracen shot at the icon of St. George from a bow, after which his arm swelled up and began to hurt unbearably, so that he was dying of pain. The Christian priest advised the Saracen to light a lamp before the icon of St. George at night, and in the morning to anoint his hand with oil from that lamp. The Saracen obeyed, and when the hand was miraculously healed, he believed in Christ. The other Saracens betrayed him for this. martyrdom. This converted Saracen, even whose name has not come down to us, is depicted in the local version of the icon of the miracle of the serpent as a small figure with a lamp in his hands, sitting on the croup of a horse behind St. George. This image of St. George is common not only among the local Orthodox, but also among the Copts. He also migrated to Greece and the Balkans.
Saint George has also been the patron saint of England since the time of King Edmund III. The English flag is the George Cross. English literature has repeatedly turned to the image of St. George as the embodiment of "good old England".
Troparion, tone 4:
Like a captive liberator, and a defender of the poor, a weak doctor, a champion of kings, a victorious great martyr George, pray to Christ God, save our souls.
Ying troparion, same voice:
You fought a good feat, passion-bearing of Christ by faith, and you denounced the tormentors of wickedness, but you offered a sacrifice favorable to God: you also received the crown of victory, and with your holy prayers, grant forgiveness to all sins.
Kontakion, tone 4:
Cultivated from God, the most honest doer of piety appeared, having gathered the virtues of the hilt for himself: having sowed more in tears, reap the joy. Having suffered with blood, thou hast accepted Christ, and through thy holy prayers grant forgiveness to all of sins.
Prayer 1st Great Martyr George:
Holy, glorious and all-praise Great Martyr George! Gatherings in your temple and before your holy icon, worshiping people, we pray to you, known for our intercession, pray with us and for us, begging from His benevolence of God, may He graciously hear us asking His goodness, and not leave all of ours for salvation and life needy petitions, and will grant our country a victory against the resistance; and again, falling down, we pray to you, victorious saint: strengthen the Orthodox army in battle with the grace given to you, destroy the forces of the rising enemies, let them be ashamed and put to shame, and let their audacity be crushed, and let them lead away, as we have Divine help, and to everyone in sorrow and the circumstances of existence, powerfully reveal your intercession. Begged the Lord God, all creatures of the Creator, deliver us from eternal torment, may we glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and confess your intercession now, and ever, and forever and ever. A min.
Prayer 2 to Great Martyr George:
Oh, all-praised, holy Great Martyr and Wonderworker George! Look down on us with your quick help and beg the Humanity God, may He not condemn us, sinners, according to our iniquities, but may He do with us according to His great mercy. Do not despise our prayers, but ask us from Christ our God a quiet and charitable life, health of soul and body, fertility of the earth and abundance in all things, and may we turn not into evil what you give us from the All-Merciful God, but to the glory of His holy Name and in glorification of your strong intercession, may He give our country and the entire God-loving army to overcome adversaries and strengthen it with unchanging peace and blessing. Rather, let His holy angels protect us with His militia, in a hedgehog, deliver us, after our departure from this life, from the wiles of the evil one and his heavy air ordeals and appear uncondemned to the Throne of the Lord of glory. Hear us, passion-bearer of Christ George, and pray for us unceasingly to the Trinitarian Lord of all God, but by His grace and philanthropy, with your help and intercession, we will find mercy from the Angels and Archangels and all the saints at the right hand of the Just Judge of the state and I will take out to glorify Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit now, and forever, and forever and ever. A min.
George the Victorious - a saint whose memory is Russian Orthodox Church honors May 6th.
George was the son of rich and pious parents who raised him in the Christian faith. He was born in the city of Beirut (Lebanon). Having entered the military service, George stood out among other soldiers with his mind, courage, physical strength, military posture and beauty. Having soon reached the rank of commander, George became the favorite of the emperor Diocletian. Diocletian was a talented ruler, but a fanatical follower of the Roman gods. Having set himself the goal of reviving dying paganism in the Roman Empire, he went down in history as one of the most cruel persecutors of Christians. Having heard once at the trial an inhuman sentence about the extermination of Christians, George was inflamed with compassion for them. Foreseeing that he, too, would suffer suffering, George distributed his property to the poor, set his slaves free, appeared to Diocletian and, declaring himself a Christian, denounced him of cruelty and injustice. George's speech was full of strong and convincing objections to the imperial order to persecute Christians. After futile persuasion to renounce Christ, the emperor ordered the saint to be subjected to various torments. George was imprisoned, where he was laid on his back on the ground, his legs were put in stocks, and a heavy stone was placed on his chest. But George courageously endured suffering and glorified the Lord. Then the tormentors of George began to excel in cruelty. They beat the saint with ox sinews, wheeled him, threw him into quicklime, forced him to run in boots with sharp nails inside. The holy martyr endured everything patiently. In the end, the emperor ordered that the head of the saint be cut off with a sword. Thus the holy sufferer departed to Christ in Nicomedia in the year 303.
George's victory over the serpent in the Slavic tradition is considered a posthumous miracle of the saint. However, there is another point of view that George defeated the snake when he served in the Roman army.
In the vicinity of Beirut, a snake lived in a lake that attacked people. The king ruled the city "a dirty idolater, lawless and impious, merciless and unmerciful to those who believe in Christ." The people, frightened by the monster, came to him, the king offered to make a list of the townspeople and, in turn, give their children to be torn to pieces by the snake, promising, when his turn comes, to give his daughter to death. Having fulfilled his promise, the king “dressed his daughter in purple and linen, adorned with gold and precious stones, and with pearls, ”and ordered them to take him to the snake. According to legend, the king's daughter was called Sabra. When the serpent began to approach the princess, a bright young man suddenly appeared on a white horse, who struck the serpent with a spear and saved the maiden. This young man was the holy Great Martyr George. With such a miraculous phenomenon, he stopped the destruction of young men and women within the boundaries of Beirut and converted to Christ the inhabitants of that country, who had previously been pagans.
In Russia, St. George is the patron saint of the army, so the name of St. George received military awards. pre-revolutionary Russia- Order of St. George, St. George's Cross and St. George's Medal. St. George's ribbon for these awards was two-color. The colors of the ribbon - black and yellow-orange - mean "smoke and flame" and are a sign of the soldier's personal prowess on the battlefield. The ribbon with minor changes entered the Soviet award system under the name "Guards Ribbon" as special sign differences. During the Soviet period, the guards ribbon was used in the design of the block of the Order of Glory and the medal "For the Victory over Germany".
Since 2005, the St. George Ribbon campaign has been held in Russia. On the eve of the Victory Day and the days of the action, each participant puts on his lapel, hand, bag or car antenna a St. George ribbon as a sign of memory of the heroic past of our people who won the Great Patriotic War. The motto of the St. George Ribbon campaign is "I remember! I'm proud!"
