Life and Akathist of Holy Great Martyr George,

whose Holy Relics are worshiped in our church

The scepter of the kingdom of Rome, taking the pagan Diocletian unworthily, was much sought at the unclean idolatry. He first honored Apollonius the sorcerer, as if he had been the forerunner of what they want to be. Because the devil was spending that idol in the wild, giving answers to those who asked him, with lies prophesying about what they want to be, although his prophecies were never fulfilled. Once, asking Diocletian Apollo about a thing, the devil gave him an answer: “I cannot really, as before I tell you what they want to be, because the right people on earth prevent me and for that reason I lie. That is why the Tripods lie in the chapels; for the righteous pluck our power. “

So Diocletian asked the servants, “Who are those righteous on earth, for whom the god Apollon cannot prophesy?” And the servants answered, “The Christians from under heaven are those righteous.” When the Diocletian heard this, he was filled with anger and jealousy over the Christians, and the persecution above them which had just ceased raised him again. And immediately he sent his sword to persecute the people of God upon the righteous, innocent and righteous, with a murderous commandment, in all parts of his dominion.

And you could see then the prisons of barbarians, robbers and shameful men, but they were full of those who confessed the true God. You could see the kind of boilers of the former commonplace, dismissing them as simple, and new and more terrible ones being found, whereby every day the crowd of Christians was mocking everywhere. And after all the parts, and especially those of the East, were brought to the emperor many letters full of slander on the Christians, who told him that those who do not keep his commandment for nothing, and who are called Christians, the number of those is without number. the end; because they have multiplied so much that it is necessary, either to let them spend in the faith or to war on them.

Then the king summoned himself everywhere in Nicomidia, his antipaths and his gypsies to counsel, gentlemen, boyars and his whole senate, gathering him; He revealed their anger to the Christians and the commandment, that every one should give counsel to the work that was put before them. So, many, many shouting, at last the tyrant spilled a poison like this, that nothing is more honorable and good than to honor the gods of the old parents. And all agreeing with his advice, he said to them again: “If so all of you, and this with boldness, wish to do it, and my love is much honored by you, then diligently lose the Christian faith. according to our gods, throughout our kingdom. And in order that you may more easily do this, I will with all my power help you. ” So they all received and praised that royal word. But Diocletian and the senate wanted the second and third ranks to gather at the same council and notify the people; then they strengthened that commandment to be unchanged.

At that time, in the Roman city was the wonderful soldier of Christ, Saint George, with the people of Cappadocia, son of well-known Christian parents, from a young age learning good faith. The one from his childhood remained an orphan of a father, ending his father with a martial need for Christ, and his mother moved with him to Palestine, for from there he was with the family and had many possessions and inheritances. And after Gheorghe reached the perfect age, being beautiful in the face, he appeared and very lively with the body; for this reason he was ordained into the army, and stood over the soldiers of a famous city. In that boyery, after showing his courage in the wars, he was honored with the leadership of the committee and the voivod by Emperor Diocletian, before knowing that he was a Christian, at the age of twenty, after his mother. it had ended in the Lord.

And when that tyrant counsel was committing the loss of Christians, St. George was near the emperor. So, on the day of the teeth, seeing so many pagans start over the Christians and that their unrighteous counsel cannot change, he judged, that time is appropriate for salvation. And immediately all that he had, the gold, the silver, and the clothing, he divided unto the poor; he freed the slaves he was with, and the other assets he had in Palestine he decided to share with those who did not, and the slaves to free them. And on the third day, in which the bloody counsel of the heathen king and of his lords of the unclean, being done unjustly to kill the innocent Christians, was to strengthen, St. George, the brave host of Christ, rejecting all human fear and healing – One God, with only His fear in Him, stood with his lighted face and manly mind in the midst of the great pagan assembly and without law, and some like them began to say to them:

“Until, O king, I and your rulers and counselors, who, being ordained for the correction of good laws and the judgments of the righteous, have set your anger upon the Christians and multiplied your folly, strengthening the judgments of the unrighteous and the unrighteous judgments, giving them innocent people, who did no wrong? Why do you persecute and torment Christians through your paganism by forcing those who have learned to hold the holy faith? Because your idols are not gods. So do not deceive yourself with lies, because Christ is One God and One, in the glory of God the Father; all were made through Him and with His Holy Spirit all were made. Either you alone know the truth and learn the right faith, or those concerning truth and right faith, do not trouble them with your folly! “

With words like these of George and of his unexpected boldness marveling all, they turned their eyes to the emperor, wanting to hear what he would answer to these words. And the emperor, like a fool out of his mind or a thunderbolt, sat silently, stifling with anger the beginning of anger. Then he beckoned to one of those who were sitting with him, his friend, by the name of Magnentius, with the disloyal government, to answer Gheorghe. And Magnentius, calling himself closer to the saint, said to him, “Who has called you to such great boldness and boldness?” The saint replied: “The truth!” Magnentius said to him, “What is that truth?” Gheorghe replied: “The truth is Christ Himself, the One persecuted by you”. The Magnenium said: “But you are a Christian too?” St. George replied: “I am a servant of Christ my God, and in him I have waited, in your midst I will do my will, to confess for the truth.”

With these words of the saint that assembly started to quarrel, some saying to each other, then there was a voice and a cry without order, as is customary in a lot of pagan people. Then Diocletian, commanding through the speakers to be silent, turned his eyes to the saint and, knowing him, said, “I, too, have marveled at your good nation, O George, your advice and courage judging. to be worthy of honor, I have honored you not with the little governors; and now, though you do not speak to your benefit, but I love the wisdom and manhood that is in you, the useful ones advise you as a father and urge you to Thou shalt not forsake the glorious glory and honor of thy dominion, nor give thy flower to thy youth by thy disobedience: but sacrifice unto the gods, for thou wilt receive more honor from us. “

And St. George replied: “O, if you had known, especially you alone, emperors, through me, the true God, and would have offered a sacrifice of praise to Him, you would have been conferred on the best and without kingdom. death, since the one you are now mourning is an unstable kingdom, vain and vaguely perishing, which is why the old ones are old and nothing is used by those who have them, so nothing of them can help me. weaken my good faith to my God, and no kind of torment will terrify my soul, nor will it stir my mind. “

Saying the saint, and the king being full of anger and not letting him finish his words, he commanded the armed men, who stood before, to remove George with the spears, and to cast him into prison. And the soldiers, doing his commandment rather, a spear touching the body of the saint, as soon as the iron became like lead; for he has turned like lead, and the mouth of the martyr has been filled with the praise of God. Carrying the martyrs into the dungeon, they laid him face down on the ground, beating him on the soles of his feet, placing a large stone on his chest, for so the tyrant commanded. And the saint, patiently and steadfastly, continued his high thanksgiving to God until the next day.

Arriving the day, the emperor again called on the martyr to investigate and seeing him crushed by the weight of the stone, he asked, saying, “Have you repented, George, or are you still in disobedience?” And the saint, having his chest fluttered with stone, could hardly speak, and said to him, “But in such great weakness, O king, do you think that I have come, that for so little suffering I should reject my faith? weaken you by tormenting me, than I being worked. ” Then Diocletian commanded to bring a large wheel of work, under which were planks, full of sharp beasts and stuck in them, like swords, spikes and knives; and those beasts were some upright and others crooked, after the likeness of the lines. On that wheel he commanded to bind the martyr and, turning the wheel, cut his whole body with those sharp beasts, which were stuck in those planks under the wheel. Thus, being the saint worked and cut into pieces and as a reed breaking down, he endured with courage; and first in that work, with a loud voice, he prayed to God, listening to no sighs; but as one who sleeps and does not feel, so endure.

And to the king, appearing that the martyr is dead, rejoicing, he praised his gods and cried, saying, “Where is thy God, George? Why didst thou not escape from such works?” So he commanded him to be cut off from the wheel, like a dead man, and he went to Apollo’s bedside. Then suddenly the widow clouded, thundered, and many heard a voice from above, saying, “Do not be afraid, George, for I am with you!” Then, after a while, a great and unusual glow appeared and the angel appeared as a handsome young man, standing by the wheel as a light-bearer, shining with his face, and, placing his hand on the martyr, said to him, “Rejoice!” And no one dared to approach the wheel and the martyr while the man who was there was seen. And after he had gone unseen, the martyr went down from the wheel by himself, loosed from the angel of God, and healed of wounds; then he sat with his healthy body, thanking God and calling on the Lord.

The soldiers, seeing this, were filled with great fear and confusion, and, running, they told the emperor, who was still in the making of the unclean idol sacrifice, following the host, and St. George, who stood before the emperor. When he saw the emperor, he did not first think that he was George, but that he seemed to be another who resembled him. Then those who were standing near the emperor, looking with their way to the martyr, knew that it was Gheorghe himself, and even the martyr alone cried with a loud voice: “I am Gheorghe”. And they were all frightened, and not long after, they held their peace for a long time, and two of the men who were there, honored by the court’s duty, Anatolia and Protoleon, having been previously taught in the Christian faith, seeing that strange miracle, were made perfect. in the faith of Christ and they cried out, saying, “One is a great and true God! the God of Christians.” And immediately the king commanded, that they should take them, and without any inquiry, take them out of the city, and cut them with the sword. And many believed at that time in Christ, but they held fast to their faith, not daring to confess it in fear.

Empress Alexandra, being still in her head and seeing the miraculous healed there and hearing of the angel’s appearance, knew the truth and boldly wanted to confess Christ, stopped the eparch and even before she knew the king, commanded her to take him home. And the evil-doer Diocletian, unable to do any good, commanded to throw St. George into a pit with unsteady lime and leave him there until the third day. The saint, going there, prayed to the Lord with a loud voice, saying, “The Savior of the afflicted, the escape of the outcasts, the hope of the hopeless, Lord my God, hear the prayer of Your servant and seek me and have mercy on me. give me the power of the adversary, and give me power, that until the end, I may keep the confession of thy holy name unchanged: forsake me not, O Lord, for my sins, that my enemies should never say, Where is his God? Show Thy strength, And magnify Thy name in me, Thy servant Thy servant, Send Thy angel, the guardian of my unbelief, He who putteth the furnace of Babylon in dew, And Thy young saints Thou hast kept unfaithful, O Lord, that Thou art well. come on. Amen. “

Thus praying and restraining his whole body with the sign of the Cross, he went down into the pit, rejoicing and glorifying God. And the servants, plunging him bound, according to the commandment, into the unstoppable cousin, returned. The third day he ordered the emperor to remove the martyrs’ bones from the pit, believing that he had burned the lime. And, as the ministers went, they dug the lime and found the whole saint, above all hope, alive and healthy, standing untied, with a lighted face, with outstretched hands, and thanking God for all good works. And the servants and the people who were near him were amazed with fear and wonder, and in a voice they praised the God of George and called him great!

On learning of this Diocletian, he commanded to bring the saint immediately before him, and, marveling at this, he said, “From where is it, George, a power like this and with what kind of spell do you craft? it seems that you, by showing the witchcraft craft, pretend the faith of the crucified one in witchcraft, as making everyone marvel at your spells, showing yourself that you are great. ” The saint replied: “I was waiting, O king, that you may not even open your mouth to the blasphemy of the Almighty God, to whom all are with power and miracles deliver those who hope for him from danger. And you, being deceived by the devil, you have slipped into a wandering and a loss so deep that you call spells and miracles the wonders of my God those seen by our eyes;

Then Diocletian commanded him to bring some iron shoes that had long spikes in them and burned them, to warm both feet of the martyr, and then to beat him, to run him to prison. In a shoe like the one run away being the martyr, the tyrant made fun of him, saying: “How fast you are, Gheorghe! Very quickly you run, Gheorghe!” And the martyr being dragged so hard and beaten terribly, said to him, “Run, George, run to get, because you run as if you did not know.” Then, calling on God, he said, “Seek from heaven, O Lord, and see my distress. You have heard the sigh of your wicked servant, that my enemies have multiplied, and hated my enemies with hatred, for your holy name. You heal me, Master, that my bones have been troubled, and give me patience to the end, lest my enemy ever say, “I have strengthened myself against him.”

This is how Saint George prayed, going to the dungeon, where, being thrown, he was weak with the body of wounds, having very injured legs. But with the spirit he strengthened, because all that day and all night he did not cease to give thanks and prayers to God. Then he was healed of wounds, with the help of God, that night and became healthy on his feet, as well as on his whole body.

The next day they brought him again in front of the emperor, to the viewing place, where he was with the emperor all the suite. Seeing the emperor that the martyr went well, limping with his feet, as if he had no wound, he said to his astonishment: “What is it, George, did you like your shoes?” The saint replied: “I was really pleased!” The emperor said, “Abstain from your boldness and be gentle and obedient. Then, rejecting the witchcraft, approach and sacrifice to the merciful gods, so that you will not miss this sweet life, through the hardships.” Saint George replied: “How foolish you are! For the power of God is called charm and you are proud of the devil’s deceit without shame.” So Diocletian, looking with angry eyes and roaring with savage voice, cut off the martyr and commanded those who stood before to beat the holy lump, that he might learn not to despise the emperor. Then he commanded him to be beaten with oxen until his body was full of blood.

Thus, the Holy and Great Martyr Gheorghe, being terribly tormented, has never changed the light of his face; for which the emperor, in great anger, said to those around him: “Truly, this is not power and manhood in George, but a thing of craftsmanship and witchcraft.” After this Magnentius said to the emperor, “There is a wise man here in the sorcerers by the name of Athanasius, to whom, if you will command to summon him, Gheorghe will surely prevail, and will obey your command.” And immediately, summoning that sorcerer, he stood before the emperor and said to the Diocletian: “What the unclean George did here, they saw the eyes of all those present and how he did them, only the wise know in that craft, so either to conquer and destroy his wizards and us subject to do it, or with the charms of poison, you must lose it in this life; as such, from the craft that was learned, from the same craft to take his due death; for that is why I have let him live so far. ” And the sorcerer promised that the next day he would do whatever he was asked to do.

So the emperor, commanding to keep the martyr in prison, arose from the judgment. And the saint, entering into the prison, called upon God, saying, “Wonderful work, Lord, have mercy on me, direct my steps to your confession and make my run in your faith; that in all the glory of your Holy Name be glorified!” The next day the king sat again in court, in a higher place, in the sight of all. And Athanasius went also the sorcerer, being proud in his wisdom, bringing to the emperor and to all who stood before him certain things enchanted in various vessels. And he said to the king, “Let this condemned man now come and see all the work of our gods and the power of my charms.” And taking a vessel he said, “O king, let it be, that the mindless man may hear thee in all things, that he may drink this drink.” Then again taking another vessel, he said, “And you want your kingdom, to see his bitter death, to drink it.” And immediately from the king’s command, St. George was brought before him to judgment. And he said to him, Diocletian, “Now all your spells will be ruined and come to an end, George!” And he commanded the sila to fill him with a spicy beverage. And the saint drank it without hesitation, remained unharmed, enjoying himself and mocking that idol and devil deception.

The king, mad with anger, commanded, as with the other drink full of deadly poison, to fill it with soda. And the saint, waiting for him to compel him, took the vessel of his own accord, and drank the poison that carried the dead; but he was without any injury by the gift of God, being guarded to death. And the king marveled with all manner of suite; as well as the sorcerer Athanasius stood out of his mind, marveling and not succeeding. Then, after an hour, the emperor said to the martyr, “How long, Gheorghe, do you make us marvel at your deeds? Until you deceive us and tell us the truth? do we bring it upon you, that even of the death-bearing shelter you have not been harmed? Tell me all the truth, that we want to hear you gently. ” Then the Happy George replied, “Do not count, emperor, that we with humankind endure persecution, but with the call of Christ and with His power; The Diocletian said: “What is the secret teaching of your Christ?” Saint George replied: “Knowing, beforehand, that your wickedness increases for the worse, he taught his servants not to be afraid of those who kill the body, that the soul cannot kill it, because we are told that neither a hair of our head will not perish, and if you drink of death it will not hurt you. And now, O king, listen to us; this is our promise of his unselfishness, which I will shortly show you: He who believes in Me, the things that I do and he will do.

Diocletian said, “And what do you say that they are His?” The saint replied, “Blind the light, the wicked clean, the lame walk and the deaf hear; the unclean spirits cast them out, the dead raise and others like them. These are the things of Christ.” The emperor, turning to Anastasia the sorcerer, said, “What do you say about these?” “I marvel at how, mocking your gentleness, he speaks lies, hoping that he will escape from your powerful hands. Because we, using many good deeds from the dead without gods all day, but never have I And he, hoping for a dead man, and holding fast to the crucified God, confesseth him without shame, that he is a doer of great things: and because before us all he hath testified, as though God were he is the maker of such wonders, and those who believe in Him have taken this unholy promise, that they should do the same things, which He also did, so that he also raised a dead before you, emperor, and before us. of all and then we too will go to his God, as a stronger One. Here is seen not far from here a tomb, in which a few days before he was laid dead, on which I have known him since he was alive; Gheorghe will resurrect him, he will really conquer us!”

And the king marveled at such advice as that of Athanasius. So, it was a big tomb, away from the couch like half a stage because that judgment was being made in the view near the gates of the city and that tomb in the city was seen. That the Elines were usually not in the city, but outside the city to bury their dead. So the king commanded the martyr, that he might raise up the dead man to show the power of his God. And Magnentius the antipathy begged the emperor that George should be loosened from ties. And being untied, Magnentius said to him, “Now, George, show yourself the wonderful things of your God and you will bring us all to His faith.” The saint said to him, “My God, He who did all things from those who were not, is strong, that through me His servant may raise up the dead. But you, being darkened by deception, cannot you know the truth. But for this people that standeth before, my Lord shall do this miracle that ye ask; but don’t count it as witchcraft. Behold, the sorcerer whom thou hast set before thee, hath testified before thee all the truth, that no witch, nor the power of any god, hath ever been able to raise up any dead. Behold, all those who are around me, and before all, shall call upon my God. “

When he said this, he bowed his knees and prayed to God with tears. Then, rising with a loud voice, he prayed again, saying, “O God of the ages, the God of mercy, the God of all powers and Almighty, the One who does not shame those who hope for You, Lord Jesus Christ, hear me humble. Your servant in this hour, He who has heard Your Holy Apostles everywhere, at all works and signs, gives to his naughty nation the requested sign and raises the dead, who lies in the grave, to the face of those who rebel against You and to glory Thou, and thy Father, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, Lord, show those that stand before thee, that thou art the God of all the earth, that they may know thee, the Almighty Lord, and that they all obey thy will and thy will. Yours is glory forever. Amen! “

And when he said “Amen”, immediately there was a great noise and an earthquake, so that all were greatly frightened. Then the roof of the tomb fell to the ground and the tomb opened, the dead man rose alive and came out of the room, looking at him all, being terrified by fear. And immediately there was great strife among the people, for many were rejoicing also in Christ, as a great God praised him.

And the emperor and those with him, being filled with fear and unbelief, first said that George, being a great wizard, not on a dead person, but on a certain spirit, and a nalucca rose from the grave, to deceive those who concern . After that, knowing that it was not a glow, but a real man raised from the dead, who called upon the name of Christ, ran to George, and stuck to it, they were all in great disbelief as they came out of their minds and completely unaware of what to do, silent. And Athanasius, running, fell at the feet of St. George, confessing to Christ that he is Almighty God, and praying to the martyr to forgive him the mistakes made by ignorance. And after some time, Diocletian, commanding the people to be quiet, began to say, “Do you see deceit, O men? Do you see the wickedness and deceit of their sorcerers? poison that one to drink, but some charms to help our deceit and a living man, with their spells made him dead, and with the charms they raised him before our eyes, as if from the dead. – they would be resurrected “.

Saying this, he commanded Athanasius and the man of the resurrected from the dead, without question to cut off their heads, and to keep the Martyrs of Christ, Gheorghe, in prison and in bonds, until afterwards he would consider what will deal with it. And St. George, entering the prison, rejoices in the spirit and thanksgiving of God, saying, “Glory to You, Lord, that you do not shame those who hope in You. Thank You, for helping me in all and showing me great deeds. good all the days, and my unbelief with thy gift thou dost adorn. O God, my God, make me to see thy glory, rather to shame the devil to the end. “

Sitting the Holy Great Martyr George in prison, those who believed in Christ, through the miracles done by him, went to him, giving gold to the guards and falling at his feet, they were under the burden of the holy faith. And they read that they were sick, and they were healed of their diseases, because they were healed by the calling of the name of Christ and by the sign of the Cross; therefore, many went to him in prison. Among those like him was a man, namely Glycerie, who happened to have dropped an ox from his mountain in a valley and lost his ox. But when he heard Glycerie about the saint, he ran to him, crying for his bull. And St. George, smiling, said to him, “Go, brother, and rejoice, for my Christ has raised your bull!” And he, doubtingly believing in the words of the martyr, went and found himself alive, according to the words of the saint.

So, immediately he returned to the martyr and in the middle of the city running, with a loud voice he shouted: “Great is the God of Christians!” So, catching that one of the soldiers that had happened there, they notified the emperor. And Diocletian, being filled with anger, did not want to see him, but commanded that immediately he cut off his head, outside the city. And Glicherie, rejoicing, as one called to the feast, ran to death for Christ, overtaking the soldiers and with great voice the call of Christ God, praying that the blood should be counted to him instead of Baptism; and so it ended.

Then one of the rulers notified the king that George, sitting in the dungeon, was troubling the people; because many turning away from the gods, he leads to the crucified One, and through charms he works wonders, and all run to him. So they were advised to bring him again to the research, and if he did not repent and the gods would not return, he would be sentenced to death. And the emperor, calling on Magnenity the antipathy, commanded that the next day he should prepare a place of judgment near Apollo’s head, that with the people he should investigate the martyr. That night, praying St. George in the dungeon, he fell asleep a little and saw the Lord appearing in a dream, Who with his hand supported him and, embracing him, kissed and laid a wreath on him. head, saying to him, “Do not be afraid, but be bold! For, behold, with me you will be able to reign. Therefore, do not lose heart, for you come to me, you will receive them cooked!” And St. George, waking up with God with joy, thanking himself, called to the prison guard and prayed, saying, “A gift I ask from you, brother. Command me to enter here my servant, for I will have them I say something. ” And when the watchman commanded him, he came to him, for he was sitting outside the prison, and he was writing the deeds of the saint and his words, with all his memory.

Entering the servant, he bowed to the ground to his master who was in bondage and, falling to the ground near his feet, wept. And the saint raised him up, commanding him to embrace the soul, and told him his vision, saying to him, “Son, the Lord will call me to him. And you, after my calling in this life, take this humble body of yours.” together with my will, which I wrote before my need and to bring you, helping God, in our home in Palestine, and all that I have decided to fulfill and to fear God and unwavering faith in Christ. ” Promising that he would fulfill all the commandments and much weeping, the saint embraced him lovingly and, giving him the last kiss, released him with peace.

The next day the sun rose, the emperor stood in judgment, and, putting the saintly martyr forward, began to speak gently to him, and, stopping his anger within himself, said to him: “Do not count, O George, that I am full of love of people and of mercy, enduring to mercy? Witnesses are all my gods that I spare your youth, for the beauty that blooms in you, for your knowledge and for your manhood. I would like to have you as part of my kingdom and to be honest, if you wanted to go back to the gods. So say what do you think about this? ” Saint George replied: “It fell to you, O king, that your great mercy had been shown to me from the beginning, and you did not dwell so much upon me.” The king, listening with pleasure to words such as those of the martyr, said at once: “If you wish to submit to me with love, as a father, all the afflictions that you have suffered, I will reward you with many honors.”

Saint George said: “May you, O king, now enter into the shrine, to see the gods honored by you.” The emperor arose with joy and gladness, walked in the robe of Apollon with all the people, carrying with them Saint George with the dances, and the people shouted praising the king, counting the power and victory of their gods. Then, coming in and making great silence and preparing the sacrifice, they all looked to the martyr, expecting no doubt to offer the sacrifice to the gods. The saint, approaching the god Apollon and stretching out his hand toward him, asked the uninitiated, as if he were living, saying, “Do you want to receive a sacrifice from me as a God?” The saint, having said this, made his sign of the Cross, and the devil who dwelt in idol answered such words: “I am not God; and no one like me is; only one is God; he whom you preach! We have departed from the angels who minister to Him, and deceive men who are masters of the sword. ” Then the saint said to him, “But how dare you to stay here, I, the servant of the true God?” Saying this saint, a sound and voice of mourning went out from the idols, and then suddenly all of them fell to the ground.

Then the servants and many of the people set out like mobs, with great anger on the saint, beating him and tying him. Then they shouted at the emperor, “Lose this sorcerer, O king! Lose him before he loses us!” Making a cry and a disturbance like this and wandering that news throughout the city, Empress Alexandra, who until then had hidden her faith in Christ, unable to hide it any longer, ran in a soul where the Holy Martyr was Gheorghe, seeing the throat of the people and the bound martyr, looking away from him and unable to approach him because of the crowd, began to shout with a loud voice, saying: “God of George, help me that you are the God Omnipotent!”

After the peace of the people was quieted a little, Diocletian commanded to bring the martyr before him, and, as he was possessed by the terrible wrath, he said to the saint, “Have you given such mercy to me, unclean man? are you used to sacrifice to the gods? ” Saint George replied: “This is how I have learned to honor your gods, O mad emperor. Shame on you, but from now on, to put your hope towards gods like them, who cannot help theirs either. and who does not endure even the coming of Christ’s servants. “

Saying the holy thing, behold, the queen came in the midst, and boldly confessed before all Christ the true God; then falling at the feet of the martyr, he defamed the tyrant’s madness, insulting the gods and cursing those who worship them. And the king was astonished, seeing his wife with such great boldness, glorifying Christ, defaming idols and falling at the feet of the martyr. Then he said to her, “What is it, Alexander, that by clinging to this wizard and charmer, you cast off the gods with such shame?” She returned from him, giving him no answer. Then Diocletian, filling himself with more anger, did not do much research on Gheorghe, nor on the empress, but immediately decided the death penalty for both of them, in this way: “The evil George, who confessed to being Galilean and he mocked the gods and me, with my emperor Alexandra, who was deceived by his spells, and with such madness he despised the gods, and commanded them to be cut with the sword. “

Then the soldiers appointed for that purpose, seizing the bound martyr, drove him out of the city, dragging along with the good and the kind empress, who, following with boldness, prayed to God himself, moving his lips and often looking to the sky. Then, coming to a certain place, the Empress weakened her powers and asked to stay for a while. Then he turned his head to the wall and gave his spirit into the hands of the Lord. Seeing this, George, the martyr of Christ, glorified God and walked with great joy, praying to the Lord that his running might be well done. Then, as he approached the appointed place, where he was to be cut, he raised his voice and prayed:

“You are well spoken, Lord my God, that you did not rejoice in my enemies, but you saved my soul like a bird in the hunt for the hunters! Listen to me now, my Lord, and stand before Your servant at this hour from and my soul shall be delivered from the works of the spirit of the widow, of the enemy of the great, and of unclean spirits: and consider not the sin of them that have sinned before me, in their powerlessness, but forgiveness and love. those who, knowing You, will gain part of Your Kingdom, together with Your chosen ones, receive my soul, along with those who have been well pleased with you for ages, overlooking all my mistakes, those knowingly and unknowingly. Remember, my lord, those who call on your name with great propriety, that you are blessed and praised forever. Amen. “

Thus, praying with joy, he bowed his head under the sword. And he was cut off on the three and twentieth day of April, committing his confession well, fulfilling his course, and keeping his faith unheard of, for which he had received the crown of righteousness prepared for him. Some like these are the great needs of the brave host Gheorghe. Some of these are his victories over the enemies. So, in this way, being in need, he confined himself to the marriage of the ungrateful and eternal. With whom we also pray, that we may be justified and stand at his right hand, on the day of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor, and worship for ever and ever. Amen

Akathist to Holy Great Martyr George

Beginning prayers:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Kontakion 1

To you, O champion leader and victorious Saint George, we offer a hymn of praise as our intercessor and speedy helper. Holy Great Martyr, as one who has boldness before the Lord, deliver us from dangers of all kinds that we may cry unto you:

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Ikos 1

The Creator of angels and Maker of all creation has revealed you to His Church as a guardian and passion- bearer for the faith. You are an inspiration for us, and we lift up praises to you for the ascetic labors of your sufferings, Saint George, in this manner:

Rejoice, you who loved unto the end Jesus, the Son of God.

Rejoice, you who laid down your life with love for His Name.

Rejoice, confessor called forth by God.

Rejoice, spiritual athlete glorified by the grace of God. Rejoice, you who dwelled with the angels.

Rejoice, you who are the equal of the prophets.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 2

Beholding how the wicked idolaters were persecuting the Christians, You did not fear their wiles and tortures,

divinely wise George. As a good soldier of Christ, you distributed all your possessions among the poor and then voluntarily ran to that ungodly gathering, singing unto Christ, your commander and God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Mentally comprehending the One God divinely worshipped in Three Persons, with a firm mind You confessed Him before the assembly of the ungodly. Thus, you exposed the unwise king’s foolish worship of creation. In admiration of your lofty love of wisdom, Saint George, accept from us these fervent praises:

Rejoice, wise preacher of the One True God.

Rejoice, faithful advocate of the All-Holy Trinity. Rejoice, you who manifest the great mystery of the True Faith unto the unbelievers.

Rejoice, you who exposed the deception of idol worship. Rejoice, revelation of holy wisdom.

Rejoice, image of divine inspiration.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 3

The power of God, which enlightens every man that comes into the world, visited you also, while you were suffering in prison, O George wise in humility. You despised all the corruptible things of this life as chaff. You faithfully held unto Christ alone, so that after fighting the good fight for His Name, you might be granted eternally to chant with the angels: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Possessing a mind and heart enlightened by the Holy Spirit, by His inspiration you fervently struggled for the Name of Christ, even unto blood. Standing courageously in the faith, you exposed the puffed-up pride of the ungodly congregation. Let us, then, come to you, most wonderful George, singing praises unto you:

Rejoice, shield lifted for preservation of piety.

Rejoice, sword raised for the beheading of evil.

Rejoice, confirmation of the Christian Church.

Rejoice, comfort of those gathered in prayer.

Rejoice, encouragement of the faithful.

Rejoice, fear and disgrace of the unbelievers.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 4

The mad persecutor, breathing murder against you, O passion-bearer George, longed for your blood like a thirsty dog, ordering your body stretched out on a wheel and giving you over unto the most evil torments. Then you, taking strength in the Lord, with hope and trust in God, cried aloud: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

When Diocletian and the priest of the idols heard words of wisdom from you, they were enraged with hatred for you, and even more so when you said: O tormenting king, why do you torture me in vain? For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. The faithful therefore humbly cry unto you, O George of great fame, in this way:

Rejoice, you who shed your blood upon the wheel for your courageous confession of the Faith.

Rejoice, you who magnified the triumph of the Faith by your blood.

Rejoice, zealot together with the apostles.

Rejoice, imitator of the voluntary Passion of Christ. Rejoice, unshakable champion of the Faith.

Rejoice, passion-bearer harder than adamant.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 5

You were as a star sent by God, O Saint George, for with your miraculous healing and release from the wheel by an angel before the eyes of all, you enlightened the unbelievers to believe in the Trinity in One Essence, and to sing unto Him together with you: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

The people beheld the miracles of the power of God so clearly taking place in you, and meekly accepted the teaching of Christ from you. They cried aloud, saying: Truly great is the God of the Christians. It is fitting that we also sing praises unto you, George worthy of glory, and so we cry out:

Rejoice, you who dispersed the darkness of unbelief by the radiant word of salvation.

Rejoice, you who converted unbelievers to Christ by your martyr’s confession of faith.

Rejoice, you who lead legions of earthly soldiers unto the heavenly army.

Rejoice, you who dwelled with the heavenly hosts as a soldier of Christ.

Rejoice, glory of courageous soldiers.

Rejoice, beauty of the all-radiant choirs of martyrs. Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 6

Zealous in faith, like unto those Spirit-bearing preachers, the apostles, you were crucified unto the world, O Martyr George. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster, you were hurled headlong into the furnace of the lime pit so that through your life might be manifested the glory of the Lord Who is wondrous in His saints. Then, in the lime pit as in a temple of glory, you noetically cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Having shone forth in His Resurrection from the tomb on the third day, Jesus, the Almighty Conqueror of hades and death, saved you from corruption, O victorious George. After three days you were found alive in the lime pit, with your hands lifted and singing unto God. The ungodly were sorely afraid and stricken with terror, but we rejoice and compose a hymn of victory unto you:

Rejoice, you who cast down the puffed-up pride of the devil by your being cast down in disgrace into the lime pit.

Rejoice, you who overcame the persecutor’s bestiality by your miraculous salvation from God.

Rejoice, for as one without guile, you prayed as for benefactors for those who worked evil against you. Rejoice, for you were zealous for their conversion as Paul was for the Jews.

Rejoice, man of spiritual desires.

Rejoice, victor through the power of Christ.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 7

Desiring by any means to ensnare your heart for service to the idols, the wicked persecutor contrived to mislead you by magical spells. Therein you, chosen of God, cry out with David: In God is my salvation and my glory, and faithfully chant unto Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

That evil servant of Satan, Diocletian, revealed a new villainy. In his insane zeal for the idols, he ordered you to be given poison, Saint George, but you were filled with faith and hope. Even though you drank the deadly poison, yet you remain unharmed, O praised-one of God. We marvel at your holiness and sing unto you:

Rejoice, for you were not disgraced by your hope in the living God.

Rejoice, for you counted your torment as nothing. Rejoice, expeller of soul-destroying demons.

Rejoice, destroyer of the wiles of magicians.

Rejoice, through you God is shown to be wondrous in His saints.

Rejoice, through you the Name of Christ is piously glorified.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 8

There came to the wicked king a strange and terrible counsel from a certain wizard: that he command you, as proof of the truth of the Christian Faith, by your word to resurrect a dead man. You, Saint George, having no doubt whatsoever, sang unto Him Who is not the God of the dead but the God of the living: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

The all-desirable and Sweetest Jesus, Whom You loved with all your soul and heart, most blessed George, attended to the fervent prayer of your faith and speedily commanded the resurrection of the dead man at your word. This was to the glorification of His Name and the confirmation of the faithful, so that the unbelievers and the blind might be astounded and thereby gain knowledge of God. For this reason, we dutifully cry unto you:

Rejoice, through you the Lord of Hosts manifested wonders.

Rejoice, through you He resurrected a dead man from the tomb.

Rejoice, you who grant the mental vision of faith unto the blinded wizard.

Rejoice, you who showed the way to the Holy of Holies unto many who suffered for Christ.

Rejoice, astonishment of Rome.

Rejoice, exaltation of the Christian race.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 9

All the angels rendered praise unto God, Who granted you such courage, victorious George, that even when locked up in prison you did not cease to keep vigil in prayer. As a great communicant of the mystery of divine grace, you were vouchsafed to behold the Lord in a vision. He crowned your head with the crown of incorruption, so that we might cry out with you: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The learned orators are unable with their rhetorical tongues to render worthy praises unto you, Martyr George, for your labors and sufferings which you assumed voluntarily for Christ and the Church. We also, not knowing how to properly praise you, chant this hymn with faith:

Rejoice, by your voluntary suffering for Christ and the Church you crucified the old Adam in yourself.

Rejoice, by your courageous suffering you receive a crown of righteousness from the Lord.

Rejoice, rule of pious zeal.

Rejoice, model of self-sacrifice.

Rejoice, for you pleased not yourself, but Christ alone. Rejoice, for you were prepared for any form of death for the sake of your Savior, Christ.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 10

Desiring to save the souls perishing in idolatry, O Saint George, lover of God, you were zealous for God like Elias. Entering the temple of the idols, by the power of God you drove out the demons, shattering the idols and putting their priests to shame. Thereafter as conqueror, not with men but with angels, you chant unto God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

More unfeeling than a wall, your hard-hearted tormentor, O Great Martyr, did not see God, Who so clearly worked miracles through you, but to the end remained as an asp, stopping his ears. He commanded you to be executed as a criminal by beheading. Though grieving over the loss of his soul, you joyfully accepted your end, for which we praise you with love in this manner:

Rejoice, you who kept faith, hope and love unto the end. Rejoice, you who worked many great miracles at your beheading.

Rejoice, you who were crowned to the glory of God’s goodwill toward those on earth.

Rejoice, you who were adorned with majesty in Heaven. Rejoice, man of God.

Rejoice, good soldier of Christ.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 11

You render a hymn unto the Most Holy Trinity exceeding others, holy Saint George, not in word and mind only, but by the living sacrifice of your whole self. Imitating Him Who was crucified for us, Christ the Lamb without blemish, you voluntarily laid down your life for your friends. Even though we are incapable of praising such courage as yours, for no man has greater love than this, yet being grateful we sing unto Him Who is wondrous in the saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

You are a light-receiving lamp of the True Light to those on earth, Saint George, chosen of God, for You enlighten the hearts of the faithful and guide them all to divine understanding, instructing us also to joyfully cry aloud:

Rejoice, for you dwell in the all-radiant angelic mansions. Rejoice, for you commune with the never-waning light of the Trinity not in a mirror, but face to face.

Rejoice, provider for the needy and defender of the wronged.

Rejoice, healer of the infirm and support of kings.

Rejoice, champion of faithful soldiers in battle.

Rejoice, fervent intercessor for the salvation of sinners. Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 12

Knowing the grace granted by God, we celebrate your memory, Great Martyr George. Running with fervent prayer to your miraculous icon, we are protected by your all-powerful help in the Lord as by an invincible wall. In praise of your aid to others, we fervently cry unto God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of your glorious end, by which you were magnified as a good soldier of Christ, we pray you, O passion-bearer and helper in all good for us: Protect us as we earnestly cry to you:

Rejoice, by you the Church of the faithful is enlightened. Rejoice, for your name is praised even among the faithless.

Rejoice, wondrous glory of the confessors.

Rejoice, lofty praise of the martyrs.

Rejoice, protector of those who honor your memory. Rejoice, deliverer of those who confess Christ God. Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 13

Most blessed and holy Great Martyr George, accept our hymn of praise and deliver us from every evil by your fervent intercession unto God, so that we may sing with you: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(Repeat Kontakion 13 three times.)

Repeat Kontakion 1 and Ikos 1.

Ikos 1

Rejoice, you who loved unto the end Jesus, the Son of God.

Rejoice, you who laid down your life with love for His Name.

Rejoice, confessor called forth by God.

Rejoice, spiritual athlete glorified by the grace of God. Rejoice, you who dwelled with the angels.

Rejoice, you who are the equal of the prophets.

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

Kontakion 1

Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Wonderworker.

A Prayer

Great Martyr George, we hasten to you for triumph over every torment and distress and over all pride and passion, that we may glorify Jesus Christ as zealous conquerors of this world and heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom. We acknowledge our unworthiness of such holy victory but, in praise of the courage, hope and trust which you have demonstrated throughout your life and into your martyrdom, we lovingly beseech your aid in battle against sin. Pray for us, Saint George, that we may be granted the grace to confess the Faith before others and to fulfill the Commandments under all circumstances and among all people. Let us witness of Christ the Lord that everyone might see His radiant light and believe in His holy teachings. Amen