Holy Glorious Great Martyr and Victory-bearer George (+303)

The holy, glorious Great Martyr and Victory-bearer George. Every nation pays special honour to some saint; every nation has its own special heavenly protector, who prays for the nation and shields it from trials.

Saint George is the special protector of Georgia. It is known from history that Saint George even fought visibly in the Georgian host (see the readings for 26 January and 18 September).

In many European countries Georgia is called “Georgia” after the name of Saint George; with us the greater part of the churches are built in the name of Saint George. “There are no hills and high hillocks on which churches of Saint George have not been built,” writes Prince Vakhushti.

In Georgia a Giorgoba was celebrated on every day of the year, connected with some church of the saint, some icon, or some miracle he worked. In popular speech 365 blessings in the name of Saint George have been preserved, connected with a feast of Saint George on every day of the year.

On 10 (23) November is kept the day of the saint’s martyrdom on the wheel, which, according to tradition, Saint Nino established as a feast. It is known that Saint Nino was a kinswoman of Saint George, paid him special honour, and bequeathed love for the great martyr to the country she converted as well.