George the Victorious is a saint who is revered in different religions. Saint Great Martyr George the Victorious - saints - history - catalog of articles - unconditional love
1. The Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious (Saint George, George of Cappadocia, George of Lydda; Greek Άγιος Γεώργιος) - one of the most revered saints in our Church, was born in Cappadocia (a region in Asia Minor), in a Christian family.
2. His father was martyred for Christ when George was still a child. After the death of her husband, the mother of the saint, who owned estates in Palestine, took her son to his homeland and raised him in strict piety. When the young man was 20 years old, his mother died, leaving him a rich inheritance.
3. Having reached the required age, George entered the military service, where he, distinguished by intelligence, courage and physical strength, became one of the commanders and favorite of Emperor Diocletian.
4. Having learned about the emperor's decision to grant all rulers complete freedom in reprisals against Christians, Saint George distributed his inheritance to the poor, appeared to the emperor and confessed himself a Christian. Diocletian immediately condemned his commander to torture.
"George's Miracle about the Serpent". Icon, late 14th century
5. For 8 days the inhuman torments of the saint continued, but every day the Lord strengthened and healed his confessor.
6. Deciding that George was using magic, the emperor ordered the sorcerer Athanasius to be called. When the saint was not harmed by the potions offered by the sorcerer, the martyr was asked to resurrect the deceased in order to shame the faith of the saint and God in whom he believes. But, through the prayers of the martyr, the earth shook, the dead man got up and left his tomb. Many believed then, seeing such a miracle.
Life icon of St. George
7. On the last night before the execution, the Lord Himself appeared to the martyr, Who laid a crown on the head of the great martyr and said: "Do not be afraid, but be of good cheer and you will be able to reign with Me."
8. The next morning, Diocletian made a last attempt to break the saint and invited him to sacrifice to idols. Going to the pagan temple, George cast out demons from the idols, the idols fell and were broken.
The beheading of St. George. Fresco by Altichiero da Zevio in the Chapel of San Giorgio, Padua
9. On the same day, April 23 (O.S.), 303, Saint George accepted a martyr's death. Calmly and courageously, the great martyr George bowed his head under the sword.
10. On the day of St. George, the Church celebrates the day of memory of Empress Alexandra, the wife of Emperor Diocletian, who, seeing the faith and torment of the saint, confessed herself a Christian and was immediately sentenced to death by her husband.
Paolo Uccello. Battle of St. George with a serpent
11. One of the most famous posthumous miracles of St. George is his victory over the serpent (dragon), which devastated the land of one pagan king. When the lot fell to give the king's daughter to be torn to pieces by the monster, the great martyr George appeared on horseback and pierced the serpent with a spear, saving the princess from death. The appearance of the saint and the miraculous salvation of people from the serpent led to the mass conversion of local residents to Christianity.
Tomb of St. George the Victorious in Lod
12. St. George is buried in the city of Lod (formerly Lydda), in Israel. A temple was built over his tomb ( en:Church of Saint George, Lod), which belongs to the Jerusalem Orthodox Church.
In Cappadocia, in a noble family of the pagan Gerontius and the Christian Polychronia. Mother raised George in the Christian faith. One day, falling ill with a fever, Gerontius, on the advice of his son, called on the name of Christ and was healed. From that moment on, he also became a Christian, and was soon honored to accept torment and death for his faith. This happened when George was 10 years old. The widowed Polychronia moved with her son to Palestine, where her homeland and rich possessions were.
Having entered the military service at the age of 18, George stood out among other soldiers with his mind, courage, physical strength, military posture and beauty. Having soon reached the rank of tribune, he showed such courage in battle that he drew attention to himself and became the favorite of the emperor Diocletian, a talented ruler, but a fanatical adherent of the pagan Roman gods, who perpetrated one of the most severe persecutions of Christians. Not yet aware of George's Christianity, Diocletian honored him with the rank of committee and governor.
From the time George became convinced that the unrighteous plan of the emperor to exterminate Christians could not be canceled, he decided that the time had come that would serve to save his soul. He immediately distributed all his wealth, gold, silver and precious clothes to the poor, gave freedom to the slaves who were with him, and ordered those slaves who were in his Palestinian possessions that some of them be freed and others handed over to the poor. After that, he appeared at a meeting of the emperor and the patricians on the extermination of Christians and courageously denounced them for cruelty and injustice, declaring himself a Christian and throwing the crowd into confusion.
When the Great Martyr George was in prison, people came to him, who from his miracles believed in Christ, gave gold to the guard, fell at the feet of the saint and instructed him in the holy faith. By invoking the name of Christ and the sign of the cross, the saint also healed the sick, who came to him in the dungeon in multitudes. Among them was the farmer Glycerius, whose ox was smashed to death, but was brought back to life through the prayer of St. George.
In the end, the emperor, seeing that George did not renounce Christ and was leading more and more people to faith in Him, decided to arrange the last test and invited him to become his co-ruler if he sacrificed to the pagan gods. George proceeded with the emperor to the temple, but instead of sacrificing, he expelled the demons that lived in the statues from there, which caused the idols to be crushed, and the assembled people attacked the saint in a rage. Then the emperor ordered to cut off his head with a sword. Thus the holy sufferer departed to Christ in Nicomedia on April 23rd.
Relics and veneration
The servant of George, who recorded all his exploits, also received from him a covenant to give his body to burial in the ancestral Palestinian possessions. The relics of St. George were laid in the Palestinian city of Lydda, in a temple that received his name, while his head was kept in Rome in a temple also dedicated to him. St. Demetrius of Rostov adds that his spear and banner were also preserved in the Roman temple. The right hand of the saint now resides on Mount Athos in the monastery of Xenophon in a silver reliquary.
Great Martyr George for courage and for the spiritual victory over the tormentors who could not force him to renounce Christianity, as well as for miraculous help to people in danger, began to be called the Victorious.
Saint George became famous for his great miracles, of which the most famous is his miracle of the serpent. According to legend, a snake lived in a lake near the city of Beirut, which often devoured the people of that area. Superstitious inhabitants, in order to quench the fury of the serpent, began regularly by lot to give him a young man or a girl to be eaten. Once the lot fell on the daughter of the ruler. She was taken to the shore of the lake and tied, where she began to expect the appearance of a monster in horror. When the beast began to approach her, a bright young man suddenly appeared on a white horse, struck the snake with a spear and saved the girl. This young man was St. George, who by his appearance stopped the sacrifices and converted to Christ the inhabitants of that country, who had previously been pagans.
The miracles of St. George served as a reason to venerate him as the patron of cattle breeding and the protector from predatory animals. George the Victorious has also long been revered as the patron of the army. "George's miracle about the serpent" is a favorite plot in the iconography of the saint, who is depicted riding a white horse, striking a serpent with a spear. This image also symbolizes the victory over the devil - the "ancient serpent" (Rev. 12, 3; 20, 2).
In Georgia
in the Arab countries
In Russia
In Russia, special veneration of the Great Martyr George spread from the first years after the adoption of Christianity. Blessed Prince Yaroslav the Wise, in holy baptism George, following the pious custom of Russian princes to found churches in honor of their guardian angels, laid the foundation for a temple and a male monastery in honor of the Great Martyr George. The temple was located in front of the gates of Hagia Sophia in Kyiv, Prince Yaroslav spent a lot of money on its construction, a large number of builders took part in the construction of the temple. On November 26, the temple was consecrated by St. Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev, and an annual celebration was established in honor of this event. On "St. George's Day", as it began to be called, or on "autumn George" until the reign of Boris Godunov, peasants could freely move to another landowner.
The image of a horseman slaying a serpent, known on Russian coins from an early time, later became a symbol of Moscow and the Muscovite state.
In pre-revolutionary times, on the day of memory of St. George, the inhabitants of Russian villages for the first time after a cold winter drove their cattle to pasture, performing a prayer service to the holy great martyr with sprinkling houses and animals with holy water.
In England
Saint George has been the patron saint of England since the time of King Edmund III. The English flag is the George Cross. English literature has repeatedly turned to the image of St. George as the embodiment of "good old England", in particular in the famous ballad of Chesterton.
Prayers
Troparion, tone 4
Like a captive liberator / and a defender of the poor, / a weak doctor, / champion of kings, / victorious Great Martyr George, / pray to Christ God / / save our souls.
Ying troparion, the same voice
You fought a good feat, / passion-bearing of Christ, / by faith and tormentors you denounced wickedness, / but a sacrifice acceptable to God was offered to you.
Kontakion, tone 4(Similar: Ascended:)
Cultivated by God, you appeared / the most honest worker of piety, / having gathered the handles of virtues for yourself: / having sowed in tears, reap with joy, / having suffered with the blood, you received Christ / and with prayers, holy, forgive your / / all sins.
Kontakion from the Renovation Service of St. George's Church in Lydda, Tone 8(Similar to: Chosen One:)
To your chosen and speedy intercession / run, faithful, / we pray to be delivered, passion-bearing of Christ, / from the temptations of enemies singing thee, / and all sorts of troubles and anger, let us call: // Rejoice, martyr George.
Troparion from the consecration service of the Church of the Great Martyr. George in Kyiv, tone 4
Blendage of the world's faces of the world, / Divine miracles performed, / and the Earth rejoices, drove your hands. pray with faith and supplication to those who come to your holy temple / give the cleansing of sins, / / pacify the world and save our souls.
Kontakion from the consecration service of the Church of the Great Martyr. George in Kyiv, tone 2(Similar to: Solid:)
The divine and crowned Great Martyr of Christ George, / against the enemies of the victory of the overcoming, / having descended by faith into the consecrated temple, let us praise, / God be pleased to create him in his name, / One in the saints rest.
Used materials
- St. Dimitri Rostovsky, Lives of the Saints:
George the Victorious is one of the most revered great martyrs of the Christian church. He was named so for his courage in the fight against the tormentors and the preservation, against all odds, of his faith and devotion to Christianity. The saint became famous for his miraculous help to people. The life of George the Victorious is distinguished by many interesting facts, and the story of his first posthumous appearance to people does resemble a fairy tale. No wonder the events in the life of the saint are so interesting not only for adults, but also for children.
The miraculous appearance of George the Victorious
A long time ago, a huge snake wound up in the lake. There was no passage from him: the monster devoured everyone who wandered in the vicinity. The local wise men, after conferring, decided to propitiate the serpent by sacrificing their own children to him. Gradually the turn came to the royal daughter herself, who was distinguished by her dazzling beauty.
On the appointed day, the girl was brought to the lake and left at the appointed place. People remained to watch the execution of the poor thing from afar. And this is what they saw, preparing to mourn the princess: out of nowhere, a stately horseman appeared in the clothes of a warrior and with a spear in his hands. He was not afraid of the snake, but crossed himself, rushed at the monster and struck him down with a spear with one blow.
After that, the brave young man said to the princess: “Do not be afraid. Tie the snake with a belt and lead to the city. On their way, the people fled in horror when they saw the monster. But the soldier reassured them with the words: “Believe in our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is he who sent me to deliver you from the serpent.” This is exactly how the miraculous appearance of St. George the Victorious happened to people, after the end of his life.
Life of the Holy Great Martyr
His earthly life was short. Therefore, the life of George the Victorious tells a little. The summary can be retold in a few paragraphs, but this saint entered the history of Christianity as one of the most famous and revered great martyrs who accepted a calm and courageous death.
Birth and childhood
The life of the Great Martyr George the Victorious begins with his birth in Cappadocia. The saint's parents were pious and meek. was a martyr and died for his faith. After that, the mother, taking her son, moved to her homeland, to Palestine. The boy was raised a true Christian, received a good education, and thanks to his courage and remarkable strength, he soon entered military service.
Young years and service with the emperor
Already at the age of twenty, George had a whole cohort of invictiors (which means "invincible") in submission. With the rank of commander, the young man received the patronage of the emperor himself. However, he revered the Roman gods and was an ardent opponent of the Christian faith. Therefore, when, by decree of the emperor, they began to burn sacred books and destroy churches, George distributed all his property to poor people and appeared in the Senate. There he publicly declared that the emperor Diocletian was a cruel and unjust ruler whom the people did not deserve. They tried to dissuade the beautiful and brave young man, they begged him not to ruin his own glory and youth, but he was adamant. It is precisely such an unshakable faith that the life of George the Victorious, even in a brief summary, usually puts at the head of all the virtues of the great martyr.
Trials and death
The young man was subjected to severe torture, after which he was beheaded. Since he courageously endured all the tortures and did not renounce Jesus Christ, George the Victorious was later ranked among the short life of George the Victorious.
The day of his execution took place on April 23, which corresponds to May 6 according to the new calendar. It is on this day that the Orthodox Church honors the memory of George the Victorious. His relics are kept in the Israeli city of Lod, where a temple named after him was built. And the severed head of the saint and his sword are in Rome to this day.
Miracles of George the Victorious
The main miracle that describes the life of St. George the Victorious is his victory over the serpent. It is this story that is often depicted on Christian icons: the saint is depicted here on a white horse, and his spear strikes the monster's mouth.
There is another, no less famous miracle that happened after the death of the Great Martyr George and his canonization. This story happened after the Arab people attacked Palestine. One of the invaders went into an Orthodox church and found the priest there praying in front of the image of George the Victorious. Wanting to show disdain for the icon, the Arab took out his bow and shot an arrow at it. But it so happened that the fired arrow pierced the warrior's hand without causing any damage to the icon.
Exhausted from pain, the Arab called the priest. He told him the story of St. George, and also advised him to hang his icon over his bed. The life of George the Victorious made such a strong impression on him that the Arab converted to Christianity, and then he even began to preach it among his compatriots, for which he later accepted the martyrdom of the righteous.
Real miracles happened to George during the torture. Cruel tortures lasted for 8 days, but by the will of the Lord, the body of the young man was healed and strengthened, remaining unharmed. Then the emperor decided that he was using magic, and wanted to kill him with poisonous potions. When this did not bring harm to George, they decided to publicly shame him and force him to renounce his faith. The young man was offered to try to resurrect a dead person. What was the shock of the assembled people when, after the prayer of the saint, the dead really rose from the tomb, and the earth shook at the will of God.
The healing spring that gushed at the place where the church named after St. George the Victorious was built can also be called a miracle. It is located exactly where, according to legend, the saint dealt with the snake.
What can you tell children about St. George?
George the Victorious became famous for a lot of things in his life. Life and for children will be interesting. For example, you can tell them that this saint is revered not only in our country, but also abroad. And his life has become the best example of how true faith in God helps us overcome any trials.
The young listeners will also be interested in the miracles that the Lord showed the people through this great martyr. Thanks to them, many who had gone astray regained their faith and came to Christ. George the Victorious lived in the 3rd century, but his exploits and miracles strengthen the faith of people even today, giving strength to cope with troubles and gratefully accept everything that life has in store for us.
Children often ask questions about why on the icons the spear in the hand of St. George is thin and thin? It's not like a snake, you can't even kill a fly. In fact, this is not a spear, but a real, sincere prayer, which was the main weapon of the great martyr. After all, only with prayer, as well as great faith in the Lord, a person has tremendous strength, courage and happiness.
Facts related to George the Victorious
- The saint is known by several names. In addition to the title of Saint George, he is called George of Lydda and Cappadocia, and in Greek the name of the great martyr is written like this: Άγιος Γεώργιος.
- On May 6, on the day of St. George, the memory of Empress Alexandra, the wife of Emperor Diocletian, is also honored. She took the torment of George so deeply to her heart and believed in his own faith so much that she recognized herself as a Christian. After that, the emperor immediately sentenced her to death.
- George the Victorious, whose life has become a true example of courage and courage, is especially revered in Georgia. The first temple named after St. George was built there in 335. Several centuries later, more and more temples and chapels began to be built. In total, they were erected in different parts of this country as many as there are days in a year - 365. Today it is impossible to find a single Georgian church that would not have the image of St. George the Victorious.
- It is also very popular in Georgia. It is given to everyone - from ordinary people to rulers from the greatest dynasties. It was believed that a person named after St. George would not know failure in anything and would emerge victorious from any situation.
It is sometimes difficult to believe that the life of George the Victorious really describes the events that really happened. After all, there are so many inhuman torments, valor and unshakable faith in it, as it is simply impossible for us, mere mortals, to imagine. However, the story of this saint is the best example of how any adversity can be overcome with the help of true faith.
This saint is numbered among the great martyrs and is one of the most revered in the Christian world. According to the life, he lived in the III century AD. e. and died at the beginning of the IV century - in 303. George was born in the city of Cappadocia, which was at that time on the territory of modern Turkey. The second common version is that he was born in the city of Lydda (the original name is Diospolis), which is in Palestine. Currently, this is the city of Lud, located in Israel. And the saint grew up in Cappadocia, in a family of noble and wealthy parents who professed Christianity.
What do we know about George the Victorious
By the age of 20, a physically strong, courageous and educated young man became one of the associates of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who appointed him a military tribune (commander of 1000 soldiers).
During the mass persecution of Christians that began, he distributed all his property, freed the slaves and announced to the emperor that he was a Christian. He was subjected to painful torture and beheaded in the city of Nicomedia (now Izmit) on 23.04. 303 years (old style).
Transcription of the name of the saint in the folklore of the peoples of the world
In separate sources, he is also mentioned under the names Yegoriy the Brave (Russian folklore), Dzhirdzhis (Muslim), St. George of Lydda (Cappadocia), and in Greek primary sources as Άγιος Γεώργιος.
In Russia, after the adoption of Christianity, one canonical name George (translated from Greek as "farmer") was transformed into four, different in terms of legislation, but common, according to the Orthodox Church: George, Yegor, Yuri, Yegoriy. The name of this saint revered by different nations has undergone similar transformations in many other countries. Among the medieval Germans, he became Jorge, among the French - Georges, among the Bulgarians - Görgi, among the Arabs - Djergis. The customs of glorifying St. George under pagan names have been preserved. The most famous examples are Khyzr, Keder (Middle East, Muslim countries) and Uastirdzhi in Ossetia.
Patron saint of farmers and pastoralists
The Great Martyr George the Victorious is revered in many countries of the world, but in Russia the cult of this saint was of particular importance. George is positioned in our country as the patron of Russia, of the whole people. It is no coincidence that his image is included in the coat of arms of the Russian state. Thousands of churches bore (and bear) his name - both having a long history and newly built ones.
Most likely, such veneration is based on the pagan ancient Russian cult of Dazhdbog, who before Baptism was considered in Russia to be the ancestor and patron of the Russian people. St. George the Victorious superseded many ancient Russian beliefs. However, the people attributed to him those features that they had previously endowed with Dazhdbog and the gods of fertility, Yarilo and Yarovit. It is no coincidence that the dates of veneration of the saint (April 23 and November 3) practically coincide with the celebration by the pagans of the beginning and completion of agricultural work, to which the aforementioned gods contributed in every possible way. In addition, it is generally accepted that George the Victorious is also the patron and protector of cattle breeding.
Very often, the said saint was called among the people George the Water-bearer, because on the day when the Church celebrates the memory of this great martyr, special walks were made for the blessing of water. According to the opinion rooted in the people, the water consecrated on this day (Yuriev's dew) had a very beneficial effect on the future harvest and on the cattle, which on this day, called Yuryev, were first driven out of the stall after a long winter to pastures.
Guardian of Russian lands
In Russia, they saw in George a special saint and guardian of the Russian lands, elevating him to the rank of a demigod hero. According to popular notions, Saint Yegoriy, with his word and deeds, “arranges the land of Light Russia” and, having completed this work, takes it under his personal supervision, affirming in it “baptized faith.”
It is no coincidence that in the Russian “spiritual verses” dedicated to Yegoriy the Brave, the theme of dragon fighting, which is especially popular in Europe and symbolizes the triune role of George (G.) as a hero, a preacher of the true faith and a chivalrous defender of innocence doomed to be slaughtered, is simply omitted. In this monument of writing, G. turns out to be the son of a certain Sophia the Wise - the queen of the city of Jerusalem, in Holy Russia - who spent 30 years (we recall Ilya of Muromets) in the dungeon of the “tsar of Demyanishcha” (Diocletian), then, miraculously getting rid of the prison, carried to Russia, Christianity and at the end of the road, in an honest arena, eradicates basurmanism in Russian land.
St. George on the state symbols of Russia
Almost until the 15th century, this image, without any additions, was the coat of arms of Russia, and its image was knocked out in Ancient Russia on Moscow coins. This holy great martyr began to be considered in Russia the patron saint of princes.
After the battle, which took place on the Kulikovo field, it began to be considered that George the Victorious was the patron of the city of Moscow.
Having taken the place of the state religion, Christianity assigns St. George the Victorious, together with a number of other great martyrs from the military class (Fyodor Stratilat, Dmitry Thessalonica, etc.), the status of the heavenly patron of the army of the Christ-loving and ideal warrior. The noble origin makes this saint a model of honor for the noble class in all Christian states of the world: for princes - in Russia, for the military nobility - in Byzantium, for knights - in Europe.
Assigning to the saint the symbolism of Jesus Christ
The stories about the cases when St. George the Victorious appeared as a commander of the crusader troops in Palestine made him, in the eyes of believers, the commander of the entire army of Christ. The next logical step was the transfer to him of the emblem, which was originally the emblem of Christ himself - a red cross on a white background. It began to be considered that this is the personal coat of arms of the saint.
In Aragon and England, the coat of arms of George the Victorious became for a long time the official symbols of the states. On the flag of England ("Union Jack"), he remained until now. For some time it was the coat of arms of the Genoese Republic.
It is believed that George the Victorious is the heavenly patron of the Republic of Georgia and the most revered saint in this country.
The figure of the holy great martyr on ancient coins
For quite a long time it was believed that the images of George the Victorious that appeared on Russian coins and seals in the 13th-14th centuries were stylized images of some ancient Byzantine saint George.
But lately, the version that behind the considered image of St. George is hiding Georgy Danilovich, the Russian Tsar Khan, who ruled in Russia at the beginning of the XIV century and began the great so-called "Mongol conquest" has been sounding louder and louder lately. He is Genghis Khan.
Who, when and why changed Russian history in this way? It turns out that historians have long known the answers to these questions. This substitution took place in the 18th century, during the reign of Peter I.
Whose image was minted on the coins of Russia
In the official documents of the 13th-17th centuries that have come down to us, the rider on coins and seals who fights the dragon is interpreted as a symbol of the king or grand duke. In this case, we are talking about Russia. In support of this thesis, the historian Vsevolod Karpov cites information that it is in this form that Ivan III is depicted on the wax seal, which was sealed with a letter of 1497, which is also confirmed by the corresponding inscription on it. That is, on seals and money, a horseman with a sword in the 15th-17th centuries was interpreted as a grand duke.
This explains why George the Victorious on Russian money and seals is often depicted without a beard. Ivan IV (the Terrible) ascended the throne at a fairly young age and did not have a beard at that time, so the money and seals bore the imprint of the beardless George the Victorious. And only after the maturity of Ivan IV (after his 20th birthday) did the beard return to coins.
When the personality of the prince in Russia began to be identified with the image of George the Victorious
Even the exact date is known, starting from which, in Russia, the Grand Duke began to be depicted in the image of George the Victorious. These are the years of the reign of the Novgorod prince Yuri Danilovich (1318-1322). The coins of that period, which originally had a one-sided image of a holy rider with a naked sword, soon receive on the reverse side a drawing called purely in Slavonic - “rider in a crown”. And this is none other than the prince himself. Thus, such coins and seals inform everyone that George the Victorious and Yuri (George) Danilovich are one and the same person.
In the 18th century, the heraldic commission established by Peter I decides to consider that this victorious horseman on Russian emblems is George the Victorious. And in the reign of Anna Ioannovna, he officially begins to be called a saint.
Russian roots of the "Byzantine saint"
Most historians cannot or do not want to understand that this saint was not a Byzantine saint, but was one of the first state leaders, khans, who appeared in Russia.
In the calendar there is a mention of him as the holy Grand Duke Georgy Vsevolodovich, the actual “duplicate” of Georgy Danilovich, whom the historians of the Romanov dynasty put in the XIII century, along with the great “Mongolian” conquest.
Until the 17th century, Russia knew very well and remembered well who Saint George really was. And then they simply threw it away, like the memory of the first Russian tsars, replacing it with a "Byzantine saint." This is where heaps of inconsistencies in our history begin, which are easily eliminated, one has only to return to the present history.
Temples erected in honor of George the Victorious
Cult religious buildings, the consecration of which took place in honor of this holy great martyr, were erected in many countries of the world. Of course, the vast majority of them were built in countries where the official religion is Christianity. Depending on the denomination, the spelling of the saint's name may vary.
The main buildings are churches, cathedrals and chapels built in various countries of Europe, Africa and Asia. The most famous of them are:
1.Church of Saint George. Church of St. George the Victorious, belonging to the Jerusalem Orthodox Church. Built in Lore. According to legend, it was erected over the tomb of the saint.
The new church building was erected in 1870 on the site of the old basilica with the permission of the Ottoman (Turkish) authorities, who controlled the area at that time. The church building is located on the same site as the El-Khidr mosque, so the area of the new building occupies only part of the territory of the former Byzantine basilica.
The church contains the sarcophagus of St. George.
2. Monastery of Xenophon. The right hand (part of the hand) of this holy great martyr in a silver reliquary is kept in the monastery of Xenophon (Μονή Ξενοφώντος), located on Mount Athos (Greece). The date of foundation of the monastery is considered to be the 10th century. His Cathedral Church is dedicated to George the Victorious (the old building - katholikon - dates back to the 16th century, the new one - to the 19th).
3. St. Yuriev Monastery. The first monasteries in honor of this saint were founded in Russia in the 11th century (1030) by Grand Duke Yaroslav in Novgorod and Kyiv. Since the saint was better known in Kievan Rus under the names of Yuri and Yegoriy, the monastery was founded under one of these names - St. Yuriev.
This is one of the most ancient monasteries on the territory of our state, which are still active today. It has the status of a male monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is located near Veliky Novgorod on the Volkhov River.
The main temple of the monastery was St. George's Cathedral, the construction of which began in 1119. The work was completed 11 years later, and on July 12, 1130, the cathedral was consecrated in the name of this saint.
4. Church of San Giorgio in Velabro. The religious building of San Giorgio in Velabro (Italian transcription of the name San Giorgio al Velabro) is a temple located on the territory of modern Rome, on the former Velabr swamp. According to legend, it was here that Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were found. This is the oldest temple of St. George the Victorious located in Italy. The severed head and sword that belonged to this saint are buried under the main altar, which is made of marble in the cosmatesco style. The work is dated to the 12th century.
The holy relics are in the chapel under the altar. There is an opportunity to worship these relics. Until recently, another shrine was kept here - the personal banner of the saint, but it was donated to the Roman municipality on April 16, 1966, and now it is stored in the Capitoline Museums.
5. Chapel-reliquary Sainte-Chapelle. Part of the relics of George the Victorious is kept in the Sainte-Chapelle (French transcription of the name Sainte Chapelle), a Gothic chapel-reliquary located in Paris. The relic was preserved by the King of France, Louis the Saint.
Temples built in Russia in the XX-XXI century
Of those built relatively recently and also consecrated in the name of St. George, we should mention the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious, which was founded on 05/09/1994 in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the victory of our people in the Great Patriotic War on Poklonnaya Hill and consecrated on 05/06/1995, as well as the Church of George the Victorious in Koptev (Northern AD, Moscow). It was erected in 1997 in the best traditions of northern Slavic architecture of the 17th century. The construction of the temple was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow.
Saint George the Victorious. An icon that has survived the ages
Bas-reliefs and icons dating back to the 5th-6th centuries are considered the very first of the images of this saint that have come down to us. On them, George, as befits a warrior, is depicted in armor and always with a weapon. At the same time, he is not always depicted riding a horse. The oldest are the images of the saint and the icon of George the Victorious, discovered in the monastery church of the Copts, located in the city of Al Bawiti (Egypt).
It is here that a bas-relief appears for the first time, which depicts St. George on horseback. He strikes with a cross with a long shaft, like a spear, a kind of monster. Most likely, it was meant that this is a pagan totem cast down by the saint. The second interpretation is that the monster personified universal evil and cruelty.
Later, the icon of George the Victorious, on which he is depicted in a similar way, began to appear in an ever-increasing number of variants, and the struck monster was transformed into a serpent. Scientists are inclined to think that the composition originally indicated was not an illustration of a specific event, but was an allegorical depiction of the victory of the spirit. But it was the image of the snake fighter that became especially popular among the people. And not because of allegorical pathos, but due to the fact that it is very close to mythological and fairy tale motifs.
The hypothesis of the origin of the story of the victory of the saint over the serpent
However, the official church showed extreme caution and a negative attitude towards icons containing allegorical images. In 692, the Council of Trulli officially confirmed this. Most likely, after him, the legend of George's victory over the monster appeared.
In a religious interpretation, this icon is called the “Miracle of the Serpent”. George the Victorious (photo of the icon is given in the article) did not renounce the true faith, despite all the temptations to which his tormentors subjected him. That is why this icon miraculously helped Christians in danger more than once. At the moment, there are several versions of the icon of St. George the Victorious. You can see photos of some of them on this page.
Canonical icon depicting this saint
The image, considered classical, is a saint who sits on a horse (most often white) and slays a snake with a spear. It is the snake, which is especially emphasized by the ministers of the church and heraldry scholars. Since the dragon in heraldry is always a positive character, but the serpent is only negative.
The legend of the victory of the saint over the serpent was interpreted not only in the literal sense (which was inclined in the West, using this interpretation for the revival and cultivation of the declining institution of chivalry), but also allegorically, when the liberated princess was associated with the church, and the cast down serpent was associated with paganism . Another interpretation that takes place is the victory of the saint over his own ego. Take a look - here he is, St. George the Victorious. The icon speaks for itself.
Why did the people recognize St. George as the guardian of the Russian land
It would be a mistake to associate the highest popularity of this saint solely with the pagan heritage “transferred” to him and fabulously mythological recognition. The theme of martyrdom did not leave parishioners indifferent. It is the story of this side of the “feat of the spirit” that is dedicated to the very numerous icons of George, known to the general public much less canonical. On them, as a rule, the saint himself, depicted in full growth, is located in the center, and along the perimeter of the icon there is, similarly to a storyboard, a series of so-called “everyday stamps”.
And today George the Victorious is highly revered. The icon, the meaning of which can be interpreted in different ways, has a demonic aspect, which forms the basis of the cult of this saint. It has always been associated in Russia with an uncompromising struggle against foreign invaders. That is why George in the XIV-XV centuries becomes an extremely popular saint in Russia, symbolizing precisely the fighter-liberator and defender of the people.
icon painting schools
In the iconography dedicated to St. George, there are eastern and western directions.
Among the followers of the first school, George the Victorious is depicted more spiritually. The photos let you see it. As a rule, this is a young man of a very average build, very often beardless, without a helmet and heavy armor, with a thin spear in his hands, sitting on an unrealistic horse (spiritual allegory). Without visible physical tension, he pierces with his spear as unrealistic as his horse (also a spiritual allegory), a snake with paws and wings.
The second school depicts the saint in a more mundane and realistic way. It is first and foremost a warrior. A man with developed muscles, in full combat gear, in a helmet and armor, with a thick spear on a powerful and quite realistic horse, with prescribed physical effort, pierces with his heavy spear an almost realistic snake with paws and wings.
The prayer to George the Victorious helps people to gain faith in victory during the years of difficult trials and enemy invasions, in which they ask the saint to protect the lives of military people on the battlefield, for patronage and protection in military affairs, for the protection of the Russian state.
The image of George on the coins of the Russian Empire
On the coins, the image of a horseman piercing a serpent appears almost immediately after the saint's martyrdom. The first money known today with similar images dates back to the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337).
The same plot can be seen on coins dating back to the reign of Constantius II (337-361).
On Russian coins, the image of a similar rider appears at the end of the 13th century. Since the warrior depicted on them was armed with a spear, according to the classification that existed then, he was considered a spearman. Therefore, very soon, in colloquial speech, such coins began to be called kopecks.
When you have a small Russian coin in your hands, George the Victorious will definitely be depicted on its reverse. So it was in the Russian Empire, so it is in modern Russia.
For example, consider the two-kopeck coin introduced into circulation in 1757 by Elizabeth I. Its obverse depicts the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious without a mantle, but in full armor, striking a serpent with his spear. The coin was issued in two variants. On the first one, the inscription "two kopecks" went in a circle above the image of the saint. In the second, it was transferred to the ribbon down the coins.
In the same period, the mints issued coins of 1 kopek, money and a penny, which also had the image of a saint.
The image of the saint on the coins of modern Russia
The tradition has been revived in today's Russia. The spearman, whom the coin demonstrates, - George the Victorious - has firmly settled on Russian metal money in denominations of less than 1 ruble.
Since 2006, gold and silver investment coins have been issued in Russia in a limited series (150,000 pieces), with the image of St. George the Victorious minted on one side. And if it is possible to discuss the images on other coins, who exactly is depicted there, then these coins are directly called: Coin "George the Victorious". Gold, the price of which is always quite high, is a noble metal. Therefore, the value of this coin is much higher than its face value of 50 rubles. and is more than 10 thousand rubles.
The coin is made of 999 gold. Weight - 7.89 g, while gold - not less than 7.78 g. Denomination of a silver coin - 3 rubles. Weight - 31.1 grams. The cost of a silver coin ranges from 1180-2000 rubles.
Monuments to George the Victorious
This section is for those who wanted to see the monument to George the Victorious. Photos of some of the existing monuments erected to this saint around the world are given below.
There are more and more places in Russia where monuments to the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious are being erected. To tell about all, I would have to write a separate article. Your attention is invited to several monuments located in different parts of Russia and abroad.
1. In Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill (Moscow).
2. In Zagreb (Croatia).
3. The city of Bolshereche, Omsk region.
The most famous miracle of St. George is the liberation of Princess Alexandra (in another version, Elisava) and the victory over the devil's serpent.
San Giorgio Schiavoni. St. George fights the dragon.
It happened in the vicinity of the Lebanese city of Lasia. The local king paid an annual tribute to the monstrous serpent that lived among the Lebanese mountains, in a deep lake: one person was given to him by lot to be eaten every year. One day, the lot fell to the daughter of the ruler himself, a chaste and beautiful girl, one of the few inhabitants of Lasia who believed in Christ. The princess was brought to the snake's lair, and she was already crying for a terrible death.
Suddenly, she saw a warrior on horseback, who, signing himself with the sign of the cross, struck a serpent with a spear, deprived of demonic power by the power of God.
Together with Alexandra, George appeared in the city, saved by him from a terrible tribute. The pagans took the victorious warrior for an unknown god and began to praise him, but George explained to them that he served the true God - Jesus Christ. Many townspeople led by the ruler, listening to the confession of the new faith, were baptized. On the main square a temple was built in honor of the Mother of God and George the Victorious. The saved princess took off her royal clothes and remained at the temple as a simple novice.
From this miracle originates the image of George the Victorious - the winner of evil, embodied in a snake - a monster. The combination of Christian holiness and military prowess made George a model of a medieval warrior-knight - defender and liberator.
This is how the Middle Ages saw George the Victorious. And against its background, the historical George the Victorious, a warrior who gave his life for his faith and conquered death, somehow got lost and faded.
In the rank of martyrs, the Church glorifies those who endured suffering for Christ and accepted a painful death with His name on their lips, without renouncing the faith. This is the largest rank of saints, numbering thousands of men and women, old people and children who suffered from pagans, godless authorities of various times, militant Gentiles. But among these saints there are especially revered - great martyrs. The sufferings that befell them were so great that the human mind cannot contain the power of patience and faith of such saints and only explains them with the help of God, as everything superhuman and incomprehensible.
Such a great martyr was George, a fine young man and a courageous warrior.
George was born in Cappadocia, an area in the very center of Asia Minor, which was part of the Roman Empire. This region from early Christian times was known for its cave monasteries and Christian ascetics, leading in this harsh land, where they had to endure the heat of the day and the night cold, droughts and winter frosts, ascetic and prayerful life.
George was born in the 3rd century (not later than 276) into a rich and noble family: his father, named Gerontius, was a Persian by birth, a high-ranking nobleman - a senator with the dignity of a stratilate *; mother Polychronia - a native of the Palestinian city of Lydda (modern city of Lod near Tel Aviv) - owned vast estates in her homeland. As often happened at that time, the couple adhered to different beliefs: Gerontius was a pagan, and Polychronia professed Christianity. Polychronia was engaged in raising his son, so George absorbed Christian traditions from childhood and grew up as a pious young man.
* Stratilat (Greek Στρατηλάτης) is a highly titled person in the Byzantine Empire, the commander-in-chief of the army, who sometimes combined with military activities the management of some part of the empire.
George from his youth was distinguished by physical strength, beauty and courage. He received an excellent education and could live in idleness and pleasure, spending his parental inheritance (his parents died before he came of age). However, the young man chose a different path for himself and entered the military service. In the Roman Empire, people were accepted into the army from the age of 17-18, and the usual term of service was 16 years.
The camp life of the future great martyr began under the emperor Diocletian, who became his sovereign, commander, benefactor and tormentor, who ordered his execution.
Diocletian (245-313) came from a poor family and began his military service as a simple soldier. He immediately distinguished himself in battles, since there were plenty of such opportunities in those days: the Roman state, torn apart by internal contradictions, also endured the raids of numerous barbarian tribes. Diocletian quickly went from soldier to commander, while gaining popularity among the troops thanks to his mind, physical strength, determination and courage. In 284, the soldiers proclaimed their commander emperor, expressing their love and trust to him, and at the same time, putting him before the most difficult task of managing the empire in one of the most difficult periods of its history.
Diocletian made Maximian, an old friend and comrade-in-arms, his co-ruler, and then they shared power with the young Caesars Galerius and Constantius, adopted as usual. This was necessary to cope with rebellions, wars and the difficulties of devastation in different parts of the state. Diocletian dealt with the affairs of Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and made the city of Nicomedia (now Ismid, in Turkey) his residence.
While Maximian suppressed uprisings within the empire and resisted the raids of the Germanic tribes, Diocletian moved with an army to the east - to the borders of Persia. Most likely, during these years the young man George entered the service in one of the legions of Diocletian, passing through his native land. Then the Roman army fought with the Sarmatian tribes on the Danube. The young warrior was distinguished by courage and strength, and Diocletian noticed and promoted such.
George especially distinguished himself in the war with the Persians in 296-297, when the Romans, in a dispute for the Armenian throne, defeated the Persian army and drove it beyond the Tigris, adding several more provinces to the empire. George, who served cohort of Invictors("invincible"), where they got for special military merits, was appointed military tribune - the second commander in the legion after the legate, and later appointed committee- this was the name of the senior commander who accompanied the emperor on his travels. Since the committees constituted the retinue of the emperor and at the same time were his advisers, this position was considered very honorable.
Diocletian, an inveterate pagan, was quite tolerant of Christians for the first fifteen years of his reign. Most of his closest assistants, of course, were his like-minded adherents of traditional Roman cults. But Christians - soldiers and officials - could quite safely move up the career ladder and occupy the highest government posts.
The Romans generally showed great tolerance for the religions of other tribes and peoples. Various foreign cults were practiced freely throughout the empire, not only in the provinces, but also in Rome itself, where foreigners were required only to respect the Roman state cult and to practice their rites privately, without imposing them on others.
However, almost simultaneously with the advent of Christian preaching, the Roman religion was replenished with a new cult, which became the source of many troubles for Christians. This was cult of the Caesars.
With the advent of imperial power in Rome, the idea of a new deity appeared: the genius of the emperor. But very soon the veneration of the genius of the emperors grew into a personal deification of the crowned bearers. At first, only the dead Caesars were deified. But gradually, under the influence of Eastern ideas, in Rome they got used to consider the living Caesar as a god, he was given the title "our god and ruler" and fell on his knees before him. Those who, out of negligence or disrespect, did not want to honor the emperor, were treated as if they were the greatest criminal. Therefore, even the Jews, who otherwise held fast to their religion, tried to get along with the emperors in this matter. When Caligula (12-41) reported to the Jews that they did not sufficiently express reverence for the sacred person of the emperor, they sent a deputation to him to say: “We offer sacrifices for you, and not simple sacrifices, but hecatombs (hundreds). We have done this three times already - on the occasion of your accession to the throne, on the occasion of your illness, for your recovery and for your victory.
This was not the language that Christians spoke to emperors. Instead of the kingdom of Caesar, they proclaimed the Kingdom of God. They had one Lord - Jesus, so it was impossible to worship both the Lord and Caesar at the same time. In the time of Nero, Christians were forbidden to use coins with the image of Caesar on them; all the more, there could be no compromises with the emperors, who demanded that the imperial person be titled "Lord and God." The refusal of Christians to make sacrifices to pagan gods and to deify Roman emperors was seen as a threat to established bonds between the people and the gods.
The pagan philosopher Celsus appealed to Christians with exhortations: “Is there anything bad in acquiring the favor of the ruler of people; after all, it is not without divine favor that power over the world is obtained? If you are required to swear an oath in the name of the emperor, there is nothing wrong; for everything you have in life you receive from the emperor.”
But Christians thought differently. Tertullian taught his brothers in faith: “Give your money to Caesar, and yourself to God. But if you give everything to Caesar, what will be left for God? I want to call the emperor lord, but only in the ordinary sense, if I am not forced to put him in the place of God as lord ”(Apology, ch. 45).
Diocletian eventually also demanded divine honors for himself. And, of course, he immediately ran into the disobedience of the Christian population of the empire. Unfortunately, this meek and peaceful resistance of the followers of Christ coincided with growing difficulties within the country, which aroused open talk against the emperor, and was regarded as a rebellion.
In the winter of 302, the co-ruler Galerius pointed out to Diocletian the "source of discontent" - the Christians and offered to start persecuting the Gentiles.
The emperor turned for a prediction regarding his future to the temple of Delphic Apollo. The Pythia told him that she could not do the divination because she was hindered by those who destroy her power. The priests of the temple interpreted these words in such a way that Christians are to blame for everything, from whom all the troubles in the state occur. So the emperor's inner circle, secular and priestly, pushed him to make the main mistake in his life - to start persecuting those who believe in Christ, known in history as the Great Persecution.
On February 23, 303, Diocletian issued the first edict against Christians, which prescribed "destroy churches to the ground, burn sacred books and deprive Christians of honorary positions". Shortly thereafter, the imperial palace in Nicomedia was twice engulfed by fire. This coincidence was the reason for the unsubstantiated accusation of arson against Christians. Following this, two more decrees appeared - on the persecution of priests and on the obligatory sacrifice for all to pagan gods. Those who refused to sacrifice were subjected to imprisonment, torture and the death penalty. Thus began the persecution that took the lives of several thousand citizens of the Roman Empire - Romans, Greeks, people from barbarian peoples. The entire Christian population of the country, quite numerous, was divided into two parts: for the sake of deliverance from torment, some agreed to bring pagan sacrifices, while others confessed Christ to death, because they considered such sacrifices a denial of Christ, remembering His words: “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be zealous for one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13).
Saint George did not allow the thought of worshiping pagan idols, therefore he prepared for torment for the faith: he distributed gold, silver and all the rest of his wealth to the poor, gave freedom to his slaves and servants. Then he appeared in Nicomedia for advice to Diocletian, where all his military leaders and close associates gathered, and openly declared himself a Christian.
The assembly was amazed and looked at the emperor, who sat in silence, as if struck by thunder. Diocletian did not expect such an act from his devoted commander, a long-time comrade-in-arms. According to the Life of the saint, the following dialogue took place between him and the emperor:
“George,” said Diocletian, “I have always marveled at your nobility and courage, you received a high position from me for military merit. Out of love for you, as a father, I give you advice - do not doom your life to torment, make a sacrifice to the gods, and you will not lose your dignity and my favor.
“The kingdom that you are now enjoying,” answered George, “is impermanent, vain and transient, and its pleasures will perish along with it. No benefit is gained by those who are seduced by them. Believe in the true God, and He will give you the best kingdom - immortal. For his sake, no torment will frighten my soul.
The emperor became angry and ordered the guards to arrest George and throw him in jail. There they spread him out on the prison floor, put stocks on his feet, and put a heavy stone on his chest, so that it was difficult to breathe and it was impossible to move.
The next day, Diocletian ordered that George be brought in for questioning:
Have you repented or will you show disobedience again?
“Do you really think that I will be exhausted from such a small torment? the saint replied. “You are more likely to get tired of tormenting me than I am to endure torment.
The enraged emperor gave the order to resort to torture in order to force George to renounce Christ. Once, during the years of the Roman Republic, torture was applied only to slaves in order to knock out testimony from them during a judicial investigation. But during the time of the Empire, the pagan society became so corrupt and hardened that torture was often applied to free citizens. The tortures of St. George were distinguished by special savagery and cruelty. The naked martyr was tied to a wheel, under which the tormentors laid boards with long nails. Rotating on a wheel, George's body was torn apart by these nails, but his mind and mouth prayed to God, loudly at first, then quieter and quieter...
Mikael van Coxey. Martyrdom of Saint George.
“He died, why didn’t the Christian God deliver him from death?” - said Diocletian, when the martyr was completely quiet, and with these words he left the place of execution.
This, apparently, exhausts the historical layer in the Life of St. George. Further, the hagiographer tells about the miraculous resurrection of the martyr and the ability he acquired from God to emerge unharmed from the most terrible torments and executions.
Apparently, the courage shown by George during the execution had a strong influence on the locals and even on the emperor's inner circle. Life reports that in these days many people accepted Christianity, including the priest of the temple of Apollo named Athanasius, as well as the wife of Diocletian Alexander.
According to the Christian understanding of the martyrdom of George, it was a battle with the enemy of the human race, from which the holy passion-bearer, who courageously endured the most severe tortures that human flesh has ever been subjected to, emerged victorious, for which he was named Victorious.
George won his last victory - over death - on April 23, 303, on the day of Good Friday.
The great persecution ended the era of paganism. The tormentor of St. George, Diocletian, only two years after these events, was forced to resign as emperor under pressure from his own court environment, and spent the rest of his days on a distant estate growing cabbages. The persecution of Christians after his resignation began to subside and soon ceased altogether. Ten years after the death of George, Emperor Constantine issued a decree according to which all their rights were returned to Christians. On the blood of the martyrs, a new empire was created - the Christian one.