Confessor
Saint George the Confessor
April 7 Old CalendarApril 20 New Calendar
Life
On account of the great virtue which he acquired through long ascetic labor, this George was chosen and appointed Metropolitan of Mytilene. And the saint guided his rational flock with zeal and wisdom until his old age. But when the persecution arose under Leo the Armenian, who trampled upon the holy icons, this holy elder too was summoned by the emperor to Constantinople to a council of bishops, which was to abolish icon veneration at the emperor's wish. But George not only failed to act according to the wicked emperor's wish, but together with certain other courageous bishops, rose up in defense of the holy icons. For this he was mocked and banished by the emperor to the region of Cherson, where in bodily misery and every manner of hardship he spent the remainder of his earthly life. He expired and was translated to immortal life around the year 816. He was a wonderworker both in life and after death, on account of his great righteousness and love for the Lord Jesus.
But George not only failed to act according to the wicked emperor's wish, but together with certain other courageous bishops, rose up in defense of the holy icons.
From the Hymn of Praise
### THE YOUTH KALLIOPIS, MOST BEAUTIFUL
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, April 7. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on April 7
The full reading for April 7 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open April 7 in the reader