But even in death, Saint George continued to glorify God. As he knelt before the executioner, he prayed fervently for the forgiveness of his enemies and for the strength of his fellow believers. With one swift stroke, his head was severed from his body, and his soul ascended to heaven, where he was welcomed as a victorious martyr.
Saint George’s courageous witness to the faith and his unwavering devotion to Christ have inspired countless believers throughout the centuries. His miraculous interventions and his unshakeable faith in the face of persecution serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and grace that God provides to those who trust in Him.
Let us, like Saint George, be bold in our faith and steadfast in our devotion to Christ. May we emulate his example of selfless love and unwavering commitment to the Gospel, so that we too may one day be counted among the saints in heaven. Amen.
Regenerate But, some time before the execution, Alexandra peacefully gave her soul into God’s hands in prison.
When the day arrived, Saint George went to the place of execution followed by a large crowd. He gave thanks to God for His benefits, and, begging His help for all those who would trustingly invoke his intercession throughout the centuries, bent his neck under the sword and went to carry off the trophies of eternal glory.
Carrying out the Saint’s desire, his servant took his precious relics back to his country, to Lydda (Diospolis) in Palestine, where innumerable miracles were worked in the great church that was built in his honor.
The veneration of Saint George enjoyed enormous popularity throughout the Christian world, both East and West. He was chosen to be the protector of countries like Georgia and England; thousands of churches have been dedicated to him and every Christian soul sees in him the incarnation of the virtues of valor, patience in affliction and trust in the help of grace that Christ, the Leader in battle, has enjoined on all the soldiers enrolled in His army of devotion.
Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of Saint George
The feast and commemoration of Saint George is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted on the morning of the feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers may be conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast.
If the Feast of Saint George occurs during Great Lent or Holy Week, the feast is transposed to the Monday after Pascha, the Monday of Bright Week. This is done not only because the Divine Liturgy is not conducted on the weekdays of Lent, but also because many of the hymns of the Feast are Paschal in nature. This is due to the fact that under the Old Calendar, this feast never occurred before the annual celebration of Pascha.
Scripture readings for the Feast of Saint George are: At the Orthros (Matins): Luke 21:12-19. At the Divine Liturgy: Acts 12:1-11; John 15:17-16:2 (If the Feast is transposed to the Monday of Bright Week, the Gospel reading will be of the day, John 1:18-28).
Hymns of the Saint
Apolytikion: Fourth Tone
Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion: Fourth Tone
Cultivated by God, you became manifest as an honorable tiller gathering for yourself the sheaves of virtue. For you sowed with tears but reaped with gladness; in the contest you competed with your blood and came away with Christ. By your intercessions, O Holy One, all are granted forgiveness of sins.
Source: GOARCH