Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church

Icon of Saint George

Troparion Hymn

As deliverer of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the infirm, champion of kings, victorious Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God for our souls’ salvation.

The Holy Great-Martyr George is the patron saint of our parish. (A patron saint is considered the heavenly intercessor for a nation, place, trade, activity, or person, offering his or her holy prayers and intercessions on behalf of all who ask.)

The Life of Saint George

Saint George was born around A.D. 280 in what is now central Turkey. When he was twenty years old, he followed his father’s footsteps into the military and achieved the rank of Tribune (equal to a modern colonel) in the service of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who held George in high regard.

In A.D. 303, Diocletian began to persecute the Christians of the Roman Empire and ordered the arrest of every Christian in his army. George openly renounced the emperor’s command and declared he was a Christian. Diocletian tried to convert George, not wanting to lose one of his best men, but the saint refused his many bribes.

Diocletian, unable to persuade him, had George sentenced to execution. Before his arrest, George gave all his possessions to the poor. The great martyr suffered brutal torture, including laceration on a wheel covered with swords, and was finally beheaded on April 23, 303.

Saint George’s example inspired the Church and prompted many conversions. His powerful intercessions have helped countless people even until today. Read more…