coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World

St. George was born around 280 A.D. to a wealthy and noble Christian family. He was born in the city of Cappadocia, a city of the Eastern Empire, in Asia Minor. His father’s name was Anastasius and his mother’s name was Theobaste. St. George’s mother raised him in a holy Christian manner.

St. George followed the usual career of young noblemen and joined the Roman army at the age of 17, where his ability and charm brought him quick promotions. The Emperor heard about him and, as a result, made him a tribune or an officer in the Imperial Guard. At the age of twenty, St. George’s father passed away and St. George then went to Emperor Diocletian to take over his father’s position.

Diocletian gave orders for the issue of a formal decree against the Christians on February 23, of the year 303 A.D., which was the feast of Termhlalia.

The provisions of this edict, which was published on the next day in the market place, were as follows: "All churches should be leveled to the ground and all sacred books should be burned. All Christians who hold any honorable rank are not only to be demoted, but also deprived of their civil rights. Furthermore, all Christians who are not officials are to be led into slavery".

On the feast day of the Roman god Apollo, Emperor Diocletian attacked the church of Nicomedia and burned it to the ground. He also issued a decree ordering all Christians to burn their holy books, and offer sacrifices to the idols in pagan temples. In great courage, the young man, St. George, pushed his way through the market place to read the proclamation, and then in front of the awestricken crowd, he deliberately tore down the Imperial edict and threw it away. Also seeing that the Emperor had apostatized the faith and ordered the worship of idols, St. George was sorrowful, gave all his wealth to the poor and set free his slaves. The people took St. George before Emperor Diocletian and he cried in their midst saying: “For how long will you pour your anger out against the innocent Christians and force those who know the true faith to adopt the fraudulent faith that you yourself are in doubt of? Either believe in this true faith, or at least do not disturb with foolishness those who are steadfast in it.” The Emperor asked Mephnanius, one of his ministers, to pacify and persuade him. Mephnanius asked St. George: “Who taught you to be daring like this?” St. George answered: “It is the truth,” and started to explain the truth to Mephnanius. The Emperor Diocletian interrupted, reminded St. George of the ranks that he bestowed on him and promised him with more if he would deny his Christ. St. George adamantly refused all these vain propositions. Therefore, Emperor Diocletian tortured him severely, but the Lord strengthened St. George and healed all his wounds.

Emperor Diocletian tried to seduce St. George through promises that he would be granted a higher position in the Empire. When these promises failed to attract St. George, the Emperor began to threaten him by describing the unbearable tortures that he would inflict on him. Lastly, Emperor Diocletian put him in prison.

St. George's Purity and Chastity:

Emperor Diocletian knew that nothing, except sin, could destroy the strength and demolish the integrity of this Saint. Thus, he arranged for a very beautiful woman to spend the night with St. George in prison to try to corrupt him. The Emperor said, “If she can seduce him, George will be ours.” However, St. George knew how to offer his holy body as a living sacrifice, acceptable to God. St. George, who could only look forward to heavenly joy, began to pray. Within a short while, God worked through him to change her heart to the Christian faith. Through prayer, St. George changed the atmosphere of the cell into the atmosphere of a church, praying, not only for himself, but also for the salvation of that poor woman. Shortly after dawn, the woman came to St. George crying, asking him for the secret of his chastity. St. George started talking to her about Jesus who died for the sinners, in order to save them from the slavery of sin. Soon, she seriously began to inquire about salvation and by morning, she declared that she had found her true Bridegroom Jesus Christ. In the morning, the soldiers came to escort the woman to the palace, and to find out what she had accomplished. To their amazement, they found the formerly half naked woman covered up, sitting in humility confessing her beliefs in Jesus Christ, the God of St. George, as her King and Savior. Everyone was astonished, especially the Emperor who, in his rage, ordered her to be killed immediately. With great courage, she announced her Christianity to the Emperor and joined the ranks of the saintly martyrs.

St. George's Many Sufferings:

St. George underwent tremendous suffering for the sake of Christ. A special instrument that had metallic teeth tore St. George’s body, and our Lord Jesus raised him after his death and consequently, many pagans were converted to Christianity. St. George was put in active lime, and then water was poured on it, which burned him. Again, the Lord returned him back to life. Emperor Diocletian became very agitated, thinking that St. George was using magic. When the Emperor was weary of torturing him, he brought a magician whose name was Athanasius. Athanasius gave St. George a cup of poison to drink. St. George made the sign of the cross over the cup then drank it. It was believed by Emperor Diocletian that St. George was using magic when moving his hand in the sign of the cross. Another cup was also given to St. George, but this time with his hands tied behind his back. The Saint signed it by moving his head saying: "shall I drink it from here or here or here or here!!!" When no harm came upon him, the magician Athanasius believed in the Lord Christ, upon which the Emperor Diocletian ordered him killed, and Athanasius received the crown of martyrdom.

After this, Emperor Diocletian became enraged and ordered St. George’s body to be squeezed until he delivered up his soul. St. George’s body was cast outside the city, the Lord Christ raised him up, and St. George returned to the city. When the people saw this, three thousand and seven hundred souls believed. Emperor Diocletian ordered their heads cut off and they received the crown of martyrdom.

One night, when St. George was alone in his cell bleeding from head to toe, a bright light shined in the darkness, and suddenly the Lord of Glory, Jesus Himself appeared. The Lord hugged St. George and told him, “Do not be afraid George, for I am with you.” As soon as the Lord touched the saint, all his wounds and cuts were healed instantly. When the guards saw the light, they were scared and ran to the governor to tell him. Then St. George presented himself in front of the governor and everyone was amazed to see him in perfect health.

Through all of these tortures, St. George had enough pain and sufferings of his own, but nevertheless kept on talking to Emperor Diocletian about the powers of the Christian faith. Finally, the Emperor asked St. George if he could raise a dead man Emperor Diocletian knew of. St. George prayed to our Lord and the dead man came back to life. The result of that miracle was the conversion and martyrdom of the dead man as well as many others.

In the Emperor's Palace:

When all methods failed to incite St. George to deny Christ, the Emperor invited him to his palace to entertain him. Emperor Diocletian offered to appoint St George as a prince if he would only sacrifice once to the idols. The Saint replied, "Tomorrow you will see the powers of your gods.”

While at the palace, St. George met Empress Alexandra, who had a fair idea about the Saint's God. She spoke with him, but the conversation quickly changed its course and the Saint began to preach to her about Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

In the morning, the Emperor announced that St. George would offer incense to the idols. Thousands of people started shouting and clapping as St. George entered in a great procession. He stood in front of the biggest statue, lifted up his heart to God, and after a short prayer, St. George looked at the idol and said, “If you are the real God, show us your power.” A voice came out saying, “The real God is your God, and we are devils.” Then St. George crossed himself in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and said, “How dare you, then, stand in front of me? Do you not know that I worship Jesus Christ the Living God?” Immediately, the large statue fell to the ground, followed by all the other idols, and they all shattered to pieces.

The priests of the idols started shouting, “Death to this magician who destroyed our idols. The soldiers arrested George, but many of the people who were watching announced that they accepted Christ as their Savior.

Emperor Diocletian went to his wife to complain, but to his astonishment, discovered that she also had accepted Christ as her Savior. The Emperor was very wrathful as he ordered the soldiers to hang her before killing her. During her torment, she asked St. George, “My brother, what will happen to me if I die without being baptized?” St. George answered, “My blessed Queen, your blood is the holy baptism, which will open to you the gates of Paradise.”

Finally, Emperor Diocletian decided to put to an end the humiliation that befell him, so he ordered the head of St. George to be cut off, and so St. George received the crown of martyrdom.

St. George’s body was taken by a believer and wrapped in expensive shrouds. He was buried in his mother's home that was situated on the seashore at Lydda, in Palestine. Not before long, his fame was spread all over the world. Emperor Constantine, who reigned after Diocletian, considered St. George to be the true model of a young Christian man, and ordered a church to be built over his grave. In Egypt, the Copts call him "The Prince of Martyrs", and have built over 200 churches in his name. Moreover, St. George is a personal friend of many of the Copts who believe in the power of his prayers for them. The Greeks call him "The Great Martyr".

May the prayers of St. George be with us and glory be to God forever. Amen.