Tuesday, 23 April 2024

Holy Greatmartyr, Victorybearer and Wonderworker George

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Lent

12 days before Pascha · Tone 5 · Red cross half-circle (vigil typikon symbol) · Lenten Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Holy Glorious Great-martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George

303

“George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honored for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletion, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.” (Great Horologion) The Empress Alexandra, along with a pagan priest who confessed Christ due to George’s witness, were executed together with the Great Martyr. St Alexandra is commemorated on April 21/May 4. Neither the Great Horologion nor the Prologue, nor the Church’s services to St George, mention the most popular story of St George, his slaying of a dragon. Though many icons of the Saint show him mounted on horseback, slaying a dragon with a spear, the story is thought by many to be legendary, and the dragon in the icon symbolic.

★ Holy Great Martyr George the Trophy-bearer and Wonderworker

303

The Holy Great Martyr George is among the most beloved saints of the Orthodox Church and one of the principal feasts of the spring season. He was born towards the end of the third century in Cappadocia to a noble and pious Christian family. After the early death of his father, who died a martyr for Christ, his mother Polychronia returned to her ancestral lands in Palestine, where she raised him in the evangelical virtues. At eighteen George entered military service and through ability and bravery rose swiftly to the rank of tribune and then count, becoming one of the favoured officers of the Emperor Diocletian. When Diocletian unleashed the great persecution against Christians in the year 303, George distributed his wealth to the poor, freed his servants and went before the emperor to confess Christ openly. He endured a long and terrible series of tortures: he was beaten, bound to a wheel set with knives, cast into a pit of quicklime, made to wear red-hot iron shoes, and given poison to drink, but each time he was preserved unharmed by the power of God. By his miracles, including the raising of a dead man and the bringing down of pagan idols by his prayer, he converted many to the faith of Christ, among them the Empress Alexandra and the magician Athanasius. After refusing for the last time to offer sacrifice to idols, he was beheaded on 23 April in the year 303 outside the walls of Nicomedia. He is called Trophy-bearer and Victory-bearer because by his death he won a great victory over death and idolatry, and Wonderworker because of the countless miracles wrought through him both during his life and through the centuries after his repose. His patronage extends over many lands, including Greece, Georgia, Russia, Serbia, England and Ethiopia. The Church celebrates his feast as a major commemoration with rank close to that of the apostles.

Holy Martyr Alexandra the Empress

The Holy Empress Alexandra was the wife of the Emperor Diocletian and is commemorated together with the Great Martyr George whose witness brought her to faith. While the holy Great Martyr was being tortured for confessing Christ, Alexandra came down from the imperial palace and into the arena, where she fell at his feet and openly proclaimed her faith in Christ. When she asked whether one as yet unbaptised could enter paradise as a martyr, Saint George answered her, Do not fear, for your blood will baptise you. The enraged emperor condemned her at once to death along with George, but according to the synaxaria she fell asleep on the way to execution before the sentence could be carried out, receiving the unfading crown of martyrdom by her confession of faith. Some sources record that she lived on for some years and suffered later under Licinius about the year 314, beheaded together with her daughter Valeria. The Orthodox Church commemorates her on this day with Saint George; in some calendars she is also remembered on 21 April.

Holy Martyrs Anatolius and Protoleon, soldiers

Saints Anatolius and Protoleon were distinguished officers of the Roman army, each holding the rank of chiliarch with command over a thousand men. They were secretly Christians, hiding their faith for fear of the persecution unleashed by the Emperor Diocletian. When the Great Martyr George was being tortured in the public arena, Anatolius and Protoleon were among those who watched, and they saw with their own eyes how the saint was bound on the wheel set with knives and afterwards was healed by the appearance of an angel of God. Beholding this miracle they could no longer be silent, and they cried out together with one voice in the midst of the people, One is the true God, the God of the Christians. The emperor, hearing this confession, ordered them to be led at once outside the city, where they were beheaded with the sword. With them tradition records that many others, in some accounts numbering as many as six hundred and thirty, were converted by the witness of Saint George and likewise received the crown of martyrdom. Their commemoration is kept together with that of the Great Martyr George.

Holy New Martyr George of Ptolemais, the wonderworker of Cyprus

1752

Saint George the New Martyr was born on the island of Cyprus in the eighteenth century. While still a young man he travelled to Ptolemais, the ancient Acre on the coast of Palestine, and entered the service of one of the European consulates where he worked as an attendant. By his integrity and faith he became known among the local Christians for his steadfast witness. He used to buy provisions for his master's household, and would purchase eggs daily from a poor Turkish woman's daughter, an act which in time gave occasion to false accusations against him. When pressed to deny Christ and accept Islam, he confessed openly that he had been born a Christian and intended by the grace of God to die a Christian. For this confession he was tortured and finally put to death by hanging in the year 1752. After his burial a column of fire descended from heaven for three nights and illumined his grave, and miracles of healing and protection were wrought through his intercessions. In 1967 his relics were translated from Acre to the Cathedral of Saint John in Nicosia in Cyprus, where they are venerated to this day. He is commemorated on 23 April together with his patron, the Great Martyr George.

Daily readings

Matins Gospel

— St George

Luke — Luke 12.2-12

²For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. ²But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. ³Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. ³Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. ⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. ⁵But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. ⁷But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows. ⁷But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. ⁸And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: ⁸Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: ⁹But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. ⁹but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God. ¹⁰And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. ¹⁰And every one who shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven. ¹¹And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: ¹¹And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: ¹²For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. ¹²for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.

6th Hour

Isaiah — Isaiah 49.6-10

⁶And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. ⁶yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

⁷Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. ⁷Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee. ⁸Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

⁸Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages; ⁹saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. ⁹That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. ¹⁰They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. ¹⁰They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water will he guide them.

Vespers

Genesis — Genesis 31.3-16

³And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. ³And Jehovah said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. ⁴And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, ⁴And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, ⁵And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. ⁵and said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as beforetime; but the God of my father hath been with me. ⁶And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. ⁶And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. ⁷And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. ⁷And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. ⁸If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the flock bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstreaked shall be thy wages; then bare all the flock ringstreaked. ⁸If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. ⁹Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. ⁹Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. ¹⁰And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. ¹⁰And it came to pass at the time that the flock conceive, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the he-goats which leaped upon the flock were ringstreaked, speckled, and grizzled. ¹¹And the angel of God said unto me in the dream, Jacob: and I said, Here am I. ¹¹And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. ¹²And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see: all the he-goats which leap upon the flock are ringstreaked, speckled, and grizzled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. ¹²And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. ¹³I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst a pillar, where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy nativity. ¹³I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. ¹⁴And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? ¹⁴And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? ¹⁵Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. ¹⁵Are we not accounted by him as foreigners? for he hath sold us, and hath also quite devoured our money. ¹⁶For all the riches which God hath taken away from our father, that is ours and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do. ¹⁶For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 21.3-21

³To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. ³To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice. ⁴An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. ⁴A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin. ⁵The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. ⁵The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want. ⁶The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. ⁶The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death. ⁷The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice. ⁷The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. ⁸The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right. ⁸The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. ⁹It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. ⁹It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house. ¹⁰The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. ¹⁰The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes. ¹¹When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. ¹¹When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. ¹²The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin. ¹²The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. ¹³Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. ¹³Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard. ¹⁴A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. ¹⁴A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath. ¹⁵It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. ¹⁵It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. ¹⁶The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. ¹⁶The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead. ¹⁷He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. ¹⁷He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. ¹⁸The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. ¹⁸The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright. ¹⁹It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. ¹⁹It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman. ²⁰There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. ²⁰There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up. ²¹He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. ²¹He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

Epistle

— St George weekly cycle

Acts — Acts 12.1-11

¹Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

¹Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. ²And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. ²And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. ³And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) ³And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread. ⁴And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. ⁴And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. ⁵Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. ⁵Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him. ⁶And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison. ⁶And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. ⁷And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. ⁷And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. ⁸And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. ⁸And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. ⁹And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. ⁹And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. ¹⁰When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. ¹⁰And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him. ¹¹And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. ¹¹And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Gospel

— St George weekly cycle

John — John 15.17-16.2

¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another. ¹⁷These things I command you, that ye may love one another. ¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁸If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. ²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. ²¹But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. ²¹But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. ²²If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²²If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. ²³He that hateth me hateth my Father also. ²³He that hateth me hateth my Father also. ²⁴If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. ²⁴If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. ²⁵But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. ²⁵But this cometh to pass, that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. ²⁶But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me: ²⁶But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: ²⁷and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. ²⁷And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

¹These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

¹These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble. ²They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God. ²They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.