St. George

St. George is called the "Victorious Great Martyr," and is the most famous Saint of Syria.  He was an officer in the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the great persecutor of the Christians.  As a Christian, St. George refused to make pagan sacrifice, and gave up his military commission. For this, as well as for his censure of the cruel persecution, he was tortured by being beaten with spears; cuts were inflicted upon his body, and he was bound to the rim of a wheel set with sharp spikes. These tortures had no effect on his steadfastness, and his example persuaded many Christians to persevere in the faith, and many pagans to be converted. He was finally beheaded at Nicodemia, a town of Asia Minor on an inlet of the Sea of Marmora, about the year 303 A.D.

The cheerful Christian fortitude of the warrior Saint inspired those who came after him, and from the time of Constantine to the Crusades, St. George symbolized the struggle against paganism; in later years he became the type of the never-ending combat between good and evil, one of the Sons of Light who ever strive to vanquish the ancient Dragon of Darkness. With the passage of the years so many legends were woven about him that his original personality was lost beneath a garment of romance. St. George is not a myth; however, many of the stories about him are. His courage and strength will continue to support his followers for many years to come.

Troparion of St. George: As deliverer of captives and defender of the poor. Healer of the infirm, Champion of kings. Victorious Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God, for our souls salvation.

A Prayer to our Patron Saint: Pray unto God for me, O Holy Saint George, well-pleasing to God: for I turn unto thee, who art the speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.