George of Iberia

Holy New Martyr George of Iberia, also called Zorzes, was a Georgian from Iberia who died a martyr on the island of Lesbos (Mytilene) on 2 January 1770.

While still young he was sold into slavery. His master, a Muslim from Mytilene, forced him to accept Islam and gave him the name Sali. After the master died, George stayed on the island and kept a small shop.

At about seventy years of age he appeared of his own accord before the authorities and declared that he was an Orthodox Christian. The Turkish judge thought he had lost his mind, since such a declaration meant death. The next day he was questioned again and beaten, but he bore the torments in silence and did not renounce his faith. After further tortures he was hanged at the place called Parma-⁠Kapu. Some Greek sources place the martyrdom in 1777, but the usual date is 1770.

The saint is commemorated on 2 January (new style; 15 January on the old calendar).