George of Sofia

Holy New Martyr George of Sofia came from Sofia in Bulgaria and was a soldier serving in the Ottoman army along with some other Christians. In March 1437 he was stationed in Adrianople in Thrace. One day, when he took his bow to be repaired, he overheard some Muslim soldiers mocking Christ. George became angry and declared: "Only One is holy, One is Lord, only One is worshiped, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father," and he also said some unflattering things about their beliefs. The Muslims were enraged, attacked him and punched him in the face, but he repeated his statement more loudly. They seized him, tied a bowstring around his neck, bound his hands and brought him before the ruler.

Asked whether he had said what was reported, he admitted it and said similar things to the ruler. After a beating he was sent to another official, where he gave the same answers. The crowd grew angry and demanded his punishment. The martyr became somewhat apprehensive but replied: "What good would it do to deny the truth? Yes, I did say all the things you heard." An official ordered him to take back his words and become a Muslim, promising honors and gifts, but George courageously repeated his faith in Christ and refused. The crowd called for his death, but the ruler said he would decide. As George was led to prison he was beaten and spat upon but stayed calm; in prison he was mocked and tortured and bore it with great patience.

The next day their religious leaders had him brought before them. The saint did not seem afraid but joyful, as he bore witness to Christ and mocked their faith. One leader suggested that under their law George deserved to be beaten, not put to death, but the crowd shouted for him to be burned, and the frightened officials gave him to the mob. A fire was prepared, and George approached it bravely, knowing that those who kill the body cannot kill the soul. Again they promised him great rewards if he would accept their faith, but he refused. He was placed in a basket and it was set on the fire. As the basket caught fire, someone stabbed him in the stomach with a spear. More fuel was added, and the flames burned from five in the afternoon until dawn. The saint's body was almost completely reduced to dust, which the Muslims scattered so that the Christians could not gather it. For some days after the martyrdom, lights of various forms, a flame, a beam and others, appeared at the place of execution.

Holy New Martyr George suffered for Christ on Tuesday, 26 March 1437, at the age of thirty, receiving an incorruptible crown of glory. An eyewitness left a written account, which he declares to be accurate, without extraneous additions. He is commemorated on 26 March (new style; 8 April on the old calendar).