Glycerius

Holy Martyr Glycerius the Ploughman is remembered in the life of the Holy Great Martyr George the Trophy-⁠Bearer, among those who suffered in his time. The calendar page we rely on gives nothing about Glycerius apart from this episode.

George, a native of Cappadocia, became a Roman soldier and was received into the guard of Emperor Diocletian. Learning of the emperor's decision to persecute the Christians, he gave his goods to the poor, freed his slaves and appeared before the Senate, where he declared himself a Christian. He was subjected to terrible tortures: stretched on a wheel studded with iron blades, thrown into quicklime, made to wear shoes with red-⁠hot nails, and given poisoned drinks, and each time the Lord healed and strengthened him. The emperor lost patience and ordered his head cut off, on 23 April 303.

Glycerius was a ploughman whose ox had died. While Saint George was in prison, people weighed down with illness found various ways into the prison and received help from him. Glycerius came too, in his trouble. The saint comforted him with a smile and told him that God would restore the ox to life. At home the ploughman found his ox alive and began to glorify the God of the Christians throughout the city. By the emperor's order he was seized and beheaded.

The martyrs Anatolius, Protoleon and Glycerius are commemorated with Saint George on 6 May (new style). Glycerius is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Church.