Georgia Celebrates St. George’s Day

TBILISI – Orthodox christians in Georgia are celebrating Saint George’s Day today. St George is one of the most venerated saints in Georgia, and his feast day, known as St George's Day (or Giorgoba) is a public holiday and it is celebrated two times in a year: on November 23, when he was tortured and on May 6, when he died.

There are many legends about St George. According to them, St George was from Cappadocia, a historical region of Central Anatolia, present-day Turkey. He went to serve in the Roman army and showed himself as a brave and courageous warrior.

When he found out, that Emperor Diocletian started persecution of Christians, St George claimed himself to be a Christian. He was imprisoned, tortured and then executed by decapitation at the age of 30 in 303 A.D.

Today festive liturgies are being conducted in all temples and churches of Georgia.

President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili congratulated Georgians from Shavnabada St. George Church, where he attended the service.

“Let St George strengthen all of us and strengthen the whole Georgia,” he stated.

St George is regarded with special reverence among the Georgian people, as he is believed to be the special protector and patron of the nation.

By Thea Morrison