George the Iberian

New Martyr George of Georgia, martyred at Mytilene in the eighteenth century.

St. George the Iberian, called Zorzis, was a Georgian by birth who had been taken captive and forced to embrace Islam as a child. Tradition relates that as an adult in Mytilene he returned openly to the Christian faith and, refusing to deny Christ, was hanged in 1770.

He is numbered among the New Martyrs and is commemorated on January 2.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, George the Iberian is commemorated on January 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on January 15 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on January 2

• 

  Seraphim of Sarov

  Venerable, Σεραφείμ

  Beloved Russian monastic saint, wonderworker of Sarov.

  Name days: Serafim, Serafeim, Seraphim

• Sylvester of Rome

  Hierarch, Σίλβεστρος

  Pope of Rome in the time of St. Constantine the Great.

  Name days: Sylvester, Silvester, Silvestros, Sylvestros

• Theagenes of Parium

  Hierarch, Θεαγένης

  Hieromartyr Theagenes, Bishop of Parium on the Hellespont.

  Name days: Theagenes, Theagenis

• Theodote the Mother of the Unmercenaries

  Holy Woman, Θεοδότη

  Righteous Theodote, mother of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.

  Name days: Theodote, Theodoti, Theodota

• 

  Basil of Ancyra

  Martyr, Βασίλειος εξ Αγκύρας

  Holy Martyr Basil of Ancyra, who suffered under Julian the Apostate.

• Juliana of Lazarevo

  Holy Woman, Ιουλιανή η Δικαία

  Righteous Juliana of Lazarevo, a laywoman of Murom famed for her mercy to the poor.