George

Saint George, New Martyr of Melambes near Rethymno in Crete, is commemorated on 28 October (new style, the Greek calendar) together with Angelis, Manuel and Nicholas. He died in 1824.

George was the son of Constantine Retzepis and belonged to a wealthy family renowned for bravery. Married and with children, he pretended to be a Turk and enjoyed the privileges of Muslims. In 1821 he joined the Christians and fought for the freedom of his homeland. When he returned home and went to pay his taxes, he and his companions were denounced to Mehmet Pasha of Rethymno as apostates from Islam. They were taken bound to the city and, since they remained firm in the faith, were tortured dreadfully. On 28 October 1824 they were beheaded before the Great Gate of Rethymno. Three of their skulls are kept in the church of the four martyrs at Rethymno.

Their apolytikion calls the four offspring of Crete and nurslings of Lambi, who willingly shed their blood at Rethymno.