The story of George the Victorious is very interesting. The Holy Martyr George was born in Cappadocia, the middle part of modern Turkey, into a family of true Christians, who were distinguished by their deep faith in the Lord. Entering the service in the Roman army, St. George, having distinguished himself more than once in battles, was noticed by the emperor Diocletian and accepted into his guard.
Martyrdom of Saint George
Emperor Diocletian was the last and most severe persecutor of Christians. Heeding the persuasion of the pagan priests, he unleashed on the Christians four successive persecutions, ever increasing in cruelty. First, the Christian basilica was destroyed, then the emperor's anger turned on the Christian soldiers.
At this time, the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious began to prepare for martyrdom. During the interrogation, George advised the emperor not to believe false conjectures against Christians. When asked about who prompted him to such a daring speech, George answered - Truth. Diocletian ordered that George be put on the wheel. Histied to a wheel, under which wooden boards with iron points were installed. They plunged into the body of the saint and tormented him. After George lost consciousness after some time, Diocletian decided that he was dead and ordered the body to be removed from the wheel. At this moment, according to legend, it became dark and a voice was heard from above: “Do not be afraid, George, I am with you.” The emperor called on the most skillful sorcerer Athanasius to subdue George with his magic or poison him with enchanting herbs. However, George, having prayed, drank the cups with the potion offered to him without any harm to himself. The imprisoned martyr was approached by the poor farmer Glycerius with a request to restore to life his only ox, which had fallen on arable land. When the miracle was performed, Glycerius began to walk around the city, glorifying the god of the Christians, for which he was beheaded with a sword. So the foolish creature received earthly life, so that its owner would gain eternal life. Saint George was martyred and executed on April 23, 303, before he reached the age of 30.
…The hero pierces the reptile…
But the most important thing begins after he was wheeled. After his death, he appeared and freed the country from the enemy. Dressed in shining armor, George held a knitting needle in his hands. It was with this needle that he pierced the invincible dragon that had tormented the city for so long. George's act is a demonstration of high spiritual strength, and not a physical feat. All over the world, people worship the image of George the Victorious on horseback. This icon, according to believers, has a special power. Where did the famousclash of George and the Dragon?
Lebanon
In Lebanon there is a rock on which, according to legend, St. George passed. The traces of his horse's hooves are still visible, which is why it is called St. George's Rock. People from all over the world come here and get healed. The monastery next to this place was built in the 15th century. Wars were constantly going on here, it was repeatedly set on fire, but as soon as the flame reached the icon of St. George, it immediately went out. They say that it was in those places, in the grotto of Jounieh, that George killed the Dragon.
Syria
According to one version, the life of St. George took place in Syria. The evidence in favor of the veracity of this theory is the Church of St. George the Victorious, built back in the 6th century in the small town of Ezra. The Syrians claim that from ancient times to the present, many unusual and wonderful things have been happening in these places. There is not a single village in Syria where a temple would not rise or, at least, the icon of St. George would not be located.
England
George is the most important saint in England. There are a number of reasons for this. There are many stories about him. For example, a red cross on a white background is what Richard the Lionheart saw in a dream on the eve of the decisive battle during the Crusade. Richard decided to make this cross one of the main symbols of the British army.
Georgia
Saint George is the guardian of Georgia, the people and the church of this country. Surprisingly, but a fact - there is not a single country in the world where every day was celebrated every year.like Saint George's Day. And in Georgia it used to be just like that. Why is this saint revered here? Great Martyr George is a warrior, and the Georgian people throughout history had to defend themselves, their faith, their culture, their language. They say here that the path of the Georgian people is similar to the path of St. George.
Russia
The Russian people perceive him as their saint, as their heavenly patron. Each church has an icon of St. George the Victorious. Memorial Day of the Great Martyr George is celebrated on May 6. Sometimes this day coincides with Easter, the bright Resurrection of Christ. In this case, the day of remembrance of St. George is transferred to the Wednesday of Bright Week, i.e., to May 9th. That is exactly what happened in 1945. May 9 of that year was the first day of peace, and in all Russian Orthodox churches they worshiped the icon of St. George the Victorious. Then there was the victory parade, which was hosted by Marshal Georgy Zhukov. Riding on a white horse, he rode around the troops lined up on Red Square and greeted the victorious soldiers. It is probably not by chance that the famous commander bore the name of St. George. He was a believer and throughout the war he always had an icon with him - the blessing of his mother. For a thousand years, our ancestors had to defend their native land many times and defeat countless enemies. That is why the Great Martyr George the Victorious has always been revered by Russian soldiers for his highest fighting qualities - fortitude, firmness, fearlessness and will. His very nickname - the Victorious - sounds like weapon steel and calls to a highservice. St. George showed the world a great example of Christian achievement and love for the Lord. Many consider this Saint to be "theirs". But if you ask on which coat of arms George the Victorious is depicted, the answer is obvious - Russia.
Honoring a Saint
The veneration of St. George began shortly after his death. Already the first Christian emperor, Constantine the Great, placed the icon of St. George over the entrance to the palace in Constantinople. And after him, other Byzantine rulers began to consider St. George as their heavenly patron. Reverent veneration of this holy warrior also came to Russia.
Churches and cities in honor of St. George
Prince Vladimir, who baptized Russia, erected the first church of St. George the Victorious in Kyiv. This was just the beginning. Temples and monasteries were erected in honor of the saint. Entire cities were built. So, Prince Yaroslav the Wise, who received the name George at baptism, founded the city of Yuryev to glorify his Holy Patron. It must be said that since ancient times the name George in Russia could be pronounced differently - Egory, Yegor and Yuri. One of the most famous Georgiev - Prince Yuri Dolgoruky - the founder of Moscow. He, wanting to glorify the heavenly warrior, whose name he received, built another city of Yuryev. Soon, Moscow itself received St. George the Victorious as its heavenly patrons. This happened under the right-believing Prince Dmitry Donskoy, who defeated the enemies on the Kulikovo field. Before this battle, Russian soldiers in fervent prayers turned to St. George for help, and then went into battle and smashedenemy.
Military awards
No matter what troubles and unrest fell upon Russia, our land did not become impoverished by Valiant warriors, ready to lay down their lives for faith and the Fatherland. It is not in vain that the people say: "According to deeds and a reward." The highest award for officers of the Russian army was the Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George, established by Catherine II. And her grandson, Emperor Alexander I, established the St. George Cross to reward the lower ranks of the army and navy. It could only be earned by real courage and fearlessness in battle. They wore it on the chest in front of all medals on a ribbon with orange and black stripes. During the Great Patriotic War, a soldier's Order of Glory of three degrees was established. The order had a different name, but the ceremony itself and the coloring of the ribbon are a direct reminder of the St. George Cross. For this, he was especially loved and appreciated by both the fighters and the whole people. And in 1992, the military Order of St. George and the insignia of St. George's Cross were restored.
The icon of St. George the Victorious, meaning, what helps
How is St. George depicted and what secrets are associated with his images? There are many such secrets. It is not for nothing that St. George has long been considered the patron saint of Byzantium. His image was found everywhere: on the walls of palaces in the capital of Byzantium, above the city gates. His face was minted on coins and worn on the chest next to the Orthodox cross. How was George depicted on the icons? At the earliest - he is young and strong, with thickcurly hair. Like all martyrs, he is painted in red clothes with a cross in his hands.
Later icons are full-length. On them George in the form of a warrior. His courage and military spirit are immediately evident. With all his appearance, he justifies the proud title of "Victorious". The weapon in the hands of the saint, as it were, indicates that the entire Christian people is under his protection, that he is ready to defend us day and night from any enemies. These icons have been known since ancient times, the oldest is about 800 years old. Those times were turbulent for Russia and its people. Very often people had to defend their homes and families from enemy attacks. Icons like this one helped not to lose heart, to believe that God would definitely come to the rescue in the most difficult hour.
The next icon of George the Victorious from the Deesis tier. Here we see neither military armor nor weapons in the hands of the saint. It is understood that the saint has completed his life and is in heaven. Where there are no wars, suffering, sadness, troubles. Therefore, such icons do not focus on military or princely distinctions. All saints acquire one goal - to hear the voice of the afflicted and come to their aid. An example of this is a miracle that happened many years after the martyrdom of George.
The icon tells us about this, which is called “The Miracle of St. George about the snake.” The image of St. George on the icon, the author of which tried to colorfully describe the famous feat,lives for a long time. Here the saint is depicted on horseback. With a spear, he strikes a snake - a symbol of evil. It would seem that the spear is a very heavy weapon, but it is worth paying attention to the ease with which the saint holds it. The question arises, why is this happening? What a secret lies in the inhuman strength of Gregory. Everything becomes clear if you pay attention to the top corner of the icon. It is there that the hand of the Lord is depicted, which, as it were, blesses the hero for his feat. It is the power of God that helps George to overcome the enemy, to defeat evil on earth. Probably, this is the main meaning of the icon - every Christian must live in such a way that the Lord can work His good and wonderful deeds through our souls, our actions.
