George

The holy New Martyr George is one of the thirty-⁠one young Greek Christians killed on 18 June 1919 near the town of Aydın (in Greek Aidini), in Asia Minor. Most of them were scouts of the town, together with their leaders. The Greek calendar commemorates them on 18 June, the day of their suffering, among the new martyrs of Asia Minor.

In May 1919 the Greek army entered Aydın and part of the coastal lands of Asia Minor. The Greek scouts of Ionia served at that time as messengers, guides, interpreters, clerks and stretcher-⁠bearers. Among those of Aydın were the young men named George who are remembered in this company.

A month later the Greek army was attacked by armed Turkish bands and left the town for a few days. During that time more than three thousand Greek Christians of Aydın were killed. The leaders and the scouts stayed in the town to help their fellow citizens until it was destroyed.

Thirty-⁠one of them, including their leader Nikolaos Avgeridis, were seized and shut in the basement of the government building. The next day, 18 June 1919, they were taken to an olive grove near the town, on the bank of the Eudon river. According to the testimonies that have survived, they were told to convert to Islam. Because they would not deny Christ, they were tortured and killed, their leaders first.

Among the thirty-⁠one were several young men named George: George Theodorou, George Ioannou, George Karagiannopoulos, George Nikitopoulos, George Panagis and George Papadakis. The calendar commemorates Saint George without further detail, so it cannot be said which of them is meant.

In 1992 the Church of Greece numbered among the saints those who suffered for the faith during the Asia Minor catastrophe. The martyrs of Aydın are celebrated on 18 June, headed by Saint Heracles, together with Nicholas, Epaminondas, Philoctetes, Minos, Aimilios, George, Constantine and their other companions.