Saints & Martyrs Celebrated in the Month of May:
(St. George the Prince of the Martyrs)

	The Month of May usually falls in the Pentecost season, we celebrate many martyrs and saints in 
May:  The  Calendar has at least one saint celebrated on each day of the month of May: St. George (5/1), 
St. Boctor  son of Romanos (5/5), The Apostle Aristos (5/7), St. Mark the Evangelist (5/8), Birthof the 
Virgin Mary (5/9), Martyrdom of  the prophet Armeia (5/17), Departure of St. Athansios the Apostolic 
(5/15), Anba Daniel the Hegomen of Sheheet (5/16), Queen Helena (mother of Constantine) (5/17), the 
three young men (Sedrak, Missak , and Abdnagho) (5/18), St. Arsanios the teacher of the children of the 
kings (5/21), Anba Pachomios the father of Communes (Bekonia) (5/22), The Disciple Simon Canoi 
(5/23), St. John the Evangelist (5/24), St. Abiphanos (5/25), Anba Gaourgi the companion of Anba 
Abraam (5/27), St. Issac the priest (5/27), St. Amonios the Hermit (5/28) St. Martianos (5/29), St. 
Andrewnicos the Apostle, and St. Youlianos and his mother (5/31). Their blessings be with all of us. 
Amen.

In this brief note, I would like to point out some of the Virtues of St. George:

	1. Faith.
	2.  Courage,
	3.  Love,
	4. Wonders & Miracles, and
	5. Sacrifice

1.  Faith:	 
	St. George had exemplary faith in Christ . At a very young age, he had everything a youth can 
look forward for: Looks, Stature, wealth, and inherited position. He put all these things aside because he 
loved the Lord Jesus Christ more than any material gain. He had strong faith in Him.

2.  Courage:	
	He had extraordinary courage, he faced ridicule, temptation, seduction, promises of glory and 
wealth. He also faced torture beyond belief with great courage. “Seven Years St. George endured  and 
seventy unpious kings  judging him every days. They did not succeed in making him devaite from his love 
for the king Christ ...” (St. George’s Doxology).  No one endured as much a suffering or, as long a time of 
tribulations. Because of the magnitude and length of suffering he endured, he is called the prince of the 
martys. He is mentioned first, in the martyrs’ order, in the intercessions and doxologies 

3.  Love:
	His life story is a story of agape (unselfish, heavenly) love. He loved his parents, his companions, 
his soldiers, and his enemies. He accepted suffering because of extreme love, he wanted to open the eyes 
of his accusers to see that they were worshiping idols and that they were going to die in their sins. He 
loved all.

4.  Wonders & Miracles:
	He performed wonders and miracles while being in prison, and while suffering unbearable 
tortrures. He drank the poison and it did not harm him. He survived the torture and the angels came and 
consoled him, body and soul. Many were healed because of his intercession while he was being tortured 
and many more receive such thing when they ask for his intercession (prayer) The mention of his name 
brings Christ’s healing power  and is powerful in casting out devils.

5.  Sacrifice:
	He sacrificed everything he had because he was aiming at a higher goal: “No eye have seen, no 
ear have heard what the Lord prepared for those who love him from all their hearts.” St. George sacrificed 
everything for the higher prize to be with Christ. Finally he receive threee crowns: the crown of faith, the 
crown of celibacy, and the crown of martyrdom.  .

	His Holiness Pope Shenouda III (HHPS),  inspired by the Holy Spirit, made an observation, in 
one of his lectures, that I will never forget. HHPS said: “did you notice how young St. George (The 
Cabadocian) and how young St. Menas (of Byad) were when they gave their lives for the name of Christ? 
They both were in their early twenties, a lesson to all the youth that one can love the Lord, serve Him, 
honor Him,  and make a difference even at a young age and even in a short period of time.”  St. George 
encounter with the idol worshipping rulers was when he was 18 years of age, already a Roman general 
and his life story was completed seven years later, at age 25. (Also remeber that our Lord was 30 when he 
started his ministry on earth and his service was completed at age 33 1/2) . The prayers and intercessions 
of St. George the  Cabadocian be with us all. Glory be to God in his saints. Amen.

Ekhristos Anesty, Christ Is Risen Indeed.

William Hanna
St. Louis, Missouri