Orthodox saint
St George
St George the Great Martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker
Άγιος Γεώργιος ο Μεγαλομάρτυς και Τροπαιοφόρος · Великомꙋ́ченикъ Гео́ргїй Побѣдоно́сецъ · Великомученик Георгий Победоносец
St George is remembered on 23 April, or after Pascha when it falls before it (6 May on the Old Calendar). Orthodox Christians pray to St George for courage and victory for those in military service, the protection of one's homeland from enemies and the freeing of captives.
Feast days
- Feast
- Great Martyr George the Victory-bearer
- Kept on
- 23 April, or after Pascha when it falls before it (6 May on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
- Feast
- Consecration of his church at Lydda
- Kept on
- 3 November (16 November on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
- Feast
- Consecration of St George's Church in Kiev (Yuriev Day)
- Kept on
- 26 November (9 December on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
- Feast
- Breaking on the wheel of St George (kept especially in Georgia)
- Kept on
- 10 November (23 November on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
The New Calendar is kept by the Greek, Antiochian, Romanian and Bulgarian churches, the OCA and most converts; the Old Calendar by the Russian, Serbian and Georgian churches, Jerusalem and Mount Athos, 13 days later on the civil calendar.
The life of St George
St George was born in Cappadocia to a devout Christian family. His father died a martyr, and his mother raised him in Palestine. He became a brave and gifted officer in the Roman army and rose to the imperial guard of Diocletian. When the emperor launched his great persecution, George gave his wealth to the poor, freed his servants, and openly confessed Christ before the Senate. He endured terrible tortures: the wheel of blades, the lime pit, and red-hot iron shoes. Each time the Lord raised him up unharmed, and many who saw it came to faith. He was beheaded around 303 and buried at Lydda. The Church calls him the Victory-bearer, the freer of captives, the defender of the poor, and the physician of the sick. He is shown on horseback trampling the serpent. Orthodox Christians pray to him for soldiers and for the homeland. In Russia, where he is lovingly called Yegory, they also pray to him for herds, fields, and farms.
What the faithful ask of St George
The faithful pray for
- courage and victory for those in military service
- the protection of one's homeland from enemies
- the freeing of captives
- help for the poor
- healing of the sick
- the health and safety of livestock
- help in farm work and protection for the herds at the start of the season
- the salvation of our souls
St George protects
- soldiers in battle
- livestock from predators and wild beasts
- from the power of the devil, 'the ancient serpent'
- captives in their bondage
- the defenseless from tyranny
Patron of
- soldiers and the Christ-loving armed forces
- farmers and tillers of the land
- herdsmen and shepherds
- livestock
- captives and prisoners
- the poor
- the sick
- Russia and the city of Moscow
- Georgia
Miracles
Near Beirut he slew a serpent that was devouring the people, saving the ruler's daughter, and the whole city turned to Christ.
Source: OCA - Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George
From prison he assured the farmer Glycerius that God would restore his dead ox. The ox came back to life, and so St George is honored as protector of livestock and farming.
Source: Azbyka Molitvoslov - Молитвы великомученику Георгию Победоносцу
Broken on a wheel of blades, he was raised up whole by an angel who said 'Rejoice!', and many who saw it believed.
Source: OCA - Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George
Where the traditions differ
The patronage of herds, livestock and the first spring pasturing, with the folk feast of Yegory Veshny, is especially Russian and Slavic. The 26 Nov Kiev feast is Russian, and the 10 Nov feast is kept especially in Georgia. Patronage of England, scouts, archers and armourers is Western only.
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Name days
These names keep their name day on a feast of St George:
Prayed to for
Related saints
Questions
When is the feast day of St George?
Great Martyr George the Victory-bearer: 23 April, or after Pascha when it falls before it (6 May on the Old Calendar); Consecration of his church at Lydda: 3 November (16 November on the Old Calendar); Consecration of St George's Church in Kiev (Yuriev Day): 26 November (9 December on the Old Calendar); Breaking on the wheel of St George (kept especially in Georgia): 10 November (23 November on the Old Calendar).
What do Orthodox Christians pray to St George for?
Orthodox Christians pray to St George for courage and victory for those in military service, the protection of one's homeland from enemies, the freeing of captives, help for the poor, healing of the sick and the health and safety of livestock.
What is St George the patron saint of?
St George is the patron of soldiers and the Christ-loving armed forces, farmers and tillers of the land, herdsmen and shepherds, livestock, captives and prisoners, the poor, the sick, Russia and the city of Moscow and Georgia.
What does St George protect from?
St George protects soldiers in battle, livestock from predators and wild beasts, from the power of the devil, 'the ancient serpent', captives in their bondage and the defenseless from tyranny.
Whose name day is on a feast of St George?
The name day of George, Georgios, Yuri, Yegor, Georgy, Giorgi and Georgia.
Sources
- OCA - Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George (read 14 October 2026)
- OCA - Consecration of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George in Lydda (read 14 October 2026)
- Azbyka - Святой великомученик Георгий Победоносец (read 14 October 2026)
- Azbyka Molitvoslov - Молитвы великомученику Георгию Победоносцу (read 14 October 2026)
- Wikipedia (ru) - Егорий Вешний (read 14 October 2026)
- Wikipedia - Patronages of Saint George (read 14 October 2026)