Great Martyr George the Trophy-Bearer, patron of soldiers.
St. George the Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer was a Roman officer from Cappadocia who suffered for Christ under the Emperor Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. Confessing his faith openly before the emperor, he endured many tortures and was beheaded, and his courage brought many to belief.
One of the most venerated saints in both East and West, he is honored as patron of soldiers and invoked as a swift helper in danger. Tradition depicts him as the dragon-slayer, an image of faith triumphing over evil. His feast on April 23 is one of the great name days of the Greek world; when it falls before Pascha it is transferred to Bright Monday.
Feast day
On the New Calendar, George the Great Martyr is commemorated on April 23. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 6 of the civil calendar.
Who celebrates a name day
People with these names keep their name day on this feast:
Georgios, Giorgos, Yiorgos, George, Jordi, Jiri, György, Giorgio, Yorgos, Giorgis, Jorge, Georges, Georgia, Giorgia, Georgina, Georgette, Gogo
Also commemorated on April 23
Glykerios the Farmer
Martyr, Γλυκέριος ο Γεωργός
Holy Martyr Glykerios the Farmer, who believed at the martyrdom of Saint George.
Anatolios and Protoleon
Martyr, Ανατόλιος και Πρωτολέων
Holy Martyrs Anatolios and Protoleon, soldiers who confessed Christ at the martyrdom of Saint George.
Athanasios the Magician
Martyr, Αθανάσιος ο από Μάγων
Holy Martyr Athanasios, the sorcerer who was converted at the martyrdom of Saint George.
George the Cypriot
Martyr, Γεώργιος ο Κύπριος
Holy New Martyr George the Cypriot, martyred at Ptolemais.
Lazarus of Bulgaria
Martyr, Λάζαρος ο Βοσκός
Holy New Martyr Lazarus the Shepherd of Bulgaria, martyred near Pergamon.
Polychronia the Martyr
Holy Woman, Πολυχρονία
Holy Martyr Polychronia, mother of the Great Martyr George.
Name days: Polychronia
Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.
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