Synaxarium

On this day in the year 307 A.D., the great martyr Saint George was martyred. He was born in Cappadocia to a father named Anastasios and a mother named Theopista. When he was twenty years old, his father died. He went to Diocletian to take over his father's position but found that the emperor had become an unbeliever and ordered the worship of idols. He was saddened, distributed all his wealth to the poor, dismissed his servants, and approached the emperor confessing the Lord Jesus Christ. This happened after he saw the emperor's edicts. He cried out among them, saying, “How long will you pour out your wrath on the righteous Christians and hate those who have known the true faith to follow a religion you doubt its truth? Either believe in this true religion or at least do not trouble foolish adherents of it.” The emperor pointed to his minister, Mefnanius, to calm him and asked, “Who taught you this boldness?” He answered, “It is the truth.” Then he began to explain it to him. The emperor intervened, reminding him of the ranks he had bestowed upon him and promising more if he denied his Christ, but he refused these fleeting offers and did not heed them. He was severely tortured, but the Lord strengthened him and healed all his wounds.

When the emperor was perplexed by his torture, he summoned a sorcerer named Athanasius. The sorcerer brought a cup full of poison and recited his incantations over it, then offered it to the saint. Saint George drank it after making the sign of the cross over it, and it did not harm him. This caused the sorcerer himself to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive the crown of martyrdom. The emperor became furious and ordered Saint George to be pressed until he gave up his spirit. They threw him outside the city, but the Lord raised him alive, and the martyr returned to the city. Everyone saw him, and at that moment, 3,700 people believed because of him. Diocletian ordered all their heads to be cut off, and they received the crown of martyrdom.

Some kings were present with Diocletian and said to the saint, “We want you to make these thrones sprout and bear fruit.” The saint prayed to the Lord Jesus, and the request was granted. He was taken once to a cemetery, and they asked him to raise the dead there. He prayed to the Lord Jesus, and the Lord raised them. After they spoke to them, they returned and lay down again. A poor woman brought her son who was blind, deaf, and mute. He prayed to the Lord Jesus and made the sign of the cross on the child, who was healed of all his ailments.

Diocletian continued torturing him, but when he grew tired, he tried to befriend him and promised to marry him to his daughter if he worshiped the gods. Saint George deceived him and pretended to accept. The emperor rejoiced and brought him into his palace. While he was praying, the queen heard him reading the Psalms and asked him to explain what he was saying. He began to explain everything from the creation of the world to the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. His words entered her heart, and she believed in Christ.

The emperor had ordered a public announcement in the city for people to see Saint George worship the emperor's gods. When a large crowd gathered at the idols, Saint George stood and shouted the name of the Lord Jesus, Savior of the world. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed all the idols, bringing shame to the emperor and his followers. He returned to his palace saddened. The queen said to him, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not oppose the Galileans, for their God is strong’?” He realized that Saint George had also turned her to his faith. Filled with rage, he ordered her body to be scourged and her head cut off, and she received the crown of martyrdom.

Finally, Diocletian decided to put an end to these scandals and ordered the beheading of Saint George, who received the crown of martyrdom. A Christian took his body, wrapped it in fine shrouds, and took it to his country, where they built a great church in his name. May his intercession be with us, and glory be to our Lord forever. Amen.