George of Philadelphia

Holy New Martyr George of Philadelphia (also called Hadji George) was a saint of Asia Minor, born at Philadelphia, of Christian parents, and put to death for the faith on 2 October 1794. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 2 October (15 October by the new calendar).

He was an abatzis by trade; the Greek source says he was a saddler, and the Serbian one calls him an abadzija. While young he left his homeland and went to the town of Karatzasou in Heliopolis, where he kept an abatzis's shop. The accounts differ on the cause of his fall. According to the Greek source, one night a drunken Turk fell and died. Since the Turks demanded a fine from the Christians, George did not wish to pay. According to the Serbian source, the Turks demanded a fine from the Christians for every job, and George refused to pay. After threats and intimidation from the Turks, George accepted Islam.

After a few days he repented of his act and went to the Holy Mountain, where he stayed for some time, praying for forgiveness. Returning to the town of Karatzasou, the Turks recognized him at once and brought him to trial, accusing him of having once renounced Christ and taken their faith, and now confessing Christianity again. At the trial he would not renounce the Christian faith and confessed boldly, according to the Serbian source, that his Christian faith was pure gold and theirs was worthless, that he was a Christian again, that his name was George, and that out of love for Christ he was ready to shed his blood. The judge tried in various ways to make him change his mind, but George remained resolute and unshaken. He ordered him thrown into prison and tormented there in every way until he would renounce Jesus Christ. When all the torments did not help, the judge decided that his head should be cut off at the place of execution. He was led there and beheaded on 2 October 1794.