George the Standard-Bearer facts for kids

Saint George the Standard-Bearer (also called Saint George the Confessor) was an important religious leader who lived a long time ago. He was born around 776 AD and passed away on April 7, 821 AD. He served as the Archbishop of Mytilene, a major church leader, from 804 until 815. Today, he is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and his special day is April 7.

The Life of Saint George

Early Life and Becoming a Monk

George was born around 776 AD in a rich family. His home was on the coast of Anatolia, which is across from the island of Lesbos. When his parents passed away, George gave all his family's money and property to people who needed help.

At eighteen years old, he decided to become a monk. He lived in a monastery, which is a place where monks live and pray, for two years. Later, he moved to the island of Lesbos. There, he lived a very simple life, focusing on prayer and spiritual growth. This way of life is called asceticism.

Becoming Archbishop

George became well-known for his deep faith and good deeds. When the main church leader, called a bishop, on Lesbos passed away, the people of the island chose George to take his place. In 804 AD, he was officially made the Archbishop of Mytilene. This meant he was a very important leader in the church.

Standing Up for His Beliefs

In 813 AD, during the time of Emperor Michael I, George traveled to Constantinople. This was the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. He stayed there for two more years because Nikephoros, who was the top church leader (the Ecumenical Patriarch), asked him to.

A new emperor, Leo V, came to power. He brought back a rule called iconoclasm. This rule meant that religious images, like paintings of saints, were not allowed and were often destroyed. People who supported these images were called iconodules. Emperor Leo V began to treat them badly.

In 815 AD, George, along with the Patriarch and other church leaders, went to the Emperor. They asked him to stop hurting people who believed in religious images. George spoke very strongly against the Emperor's actions. Because of this, he was whipped one hundred times. Then, he was sent away to a lonely island in the Sea of Marmara. The Emperor then chose a new archbishop for Mytilene who agreed with iconoclasm.

Life in Exile and Miracles

While George was in exile, he continued to live a very simple and spiritual life. He ate only wild plants to survive. Many Christians heard about him and traveled to the island. They came to tell him their sins, listen to his teachings, and seek healing.

People believe that George performed several miracles during his time in exile. These include healing a man who was very sick, a person who could not hear, and a person who could not see. Because of these amazing events, George became known as a simeiophoros. This Greek word means "standard-bearer" or "wonder worker."

Death and Legacy

After six years in exile, Saint George passed away on April 7, 821 AD. He was buried on the island where he had lived. It is said that a bright star shone over the city of Mytilene when he died.

Years later, in 846–847 AD, the rule against religious images ended. George's body was then brought back to Lesbos. He was buried in a place called the Tria Kyparissia, near a small church. Much later, in the 1700s, his right hand was moved to Mytilene.