Panagia "The Miracle of St. George about the Snake"

The icon depicts the image of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, who lived at the turn of the III-IV centuries. His name has been especially revered since ancient times, as evidenced by the large number of surviving manuscripts and images of the saint. The hagiographic icon is presented in a magnificent floral arrangement of curls and open buds, above which rise the figures of soaring angels holding an eight-pointed Orthodox cross in their hands. The holy image is mounted on an elegant stand, representing the product among flowering plants, reminiscent of the beauty of the Garden of Eden. The central brand tells about the most famous miracle of the holy warrior – the salvation of the princess from the serpent, which also has the symbolic meaning of victory over spiritual evil. Saint George is depicted sitting on a horse and striking a monster with a spear, to which young men and women were sacrificed, trying to appease the serpent. Invoking the Lord, St. George freed the inhabitants of the city from death, after which many converted to Christianity. The son of wealthy and pious parents, George of Cappadocia was raised in the Christian faith and, having joined the military service, soon reached the high rank of commander of thousands, becoming a favorite of Emperor Diocletian. The twelve brands framing the central image depict the life of the Great Martyr: 1 Saint George distributes his estate to the poor . After hearing a cruel verdict on the extermination of Christians at the trial, Saint George distributed his property to the poor and set the slaves free. 2 St. George denounces the tsar Declaring himself a Christian, Saint George denounced King Diocletian, accusing him of cruelty and injustice. St. George's speech was full of strong and convincing objections to the imperial order to persecute Christians. 3 St. George is whipped The emperor ordered George to be tortured and the saint was beaten with whips, but during the torture the tormentors suffered more than the saint. 4 St. George is crushed by a stone Then they tied him to poles and placed a heavy stone on his chest. 5 The Chariot of St. George the Great Martyr The next day, he was tortured with a wheel studded with knives and swords. Diocletian thought he was dead, but suddenly an angel appeared, and George greeted him. After removing the martyr from the wheel, everyone saw that his wounds were healed. 6 St. George crushes idols Emperor Diocletian persuaded St. George to spare his youth, beauty, and nobility and sacrifice to idols, promising to reward him with the greatest honors. But after denouncing the idols and making the sign of the cross, the idols in the temple fell and broke. Seeing the desecration of their gods, the priests and the people attacked St. George and beat him. 7 St. George is led in iron boots He was forced to run in red-hot iron boots. The next night he prayed, and the next morning he appeared before the emperor again. 8 St. George is being tortured with poison The next day, he was forced to drink two bowls of medicines prepared by the magi Athanasius, from one of which he was supposed to lose his mind, and from the second he was supposed to die. But they didn't hurt him. 9 St. George raised the dead Then he performed a miracle ― the resurrection of the deceased, which led many to convert to Christianity. 10 The Appearance of Jesus Christ to Saint George George was comforted by the appearance of the Savior Jesus Christ, who encouraged him and promised him heavenly blessings. 11 Queen Alexandra bowed When Tsarina Alexandra heard about the destruction of pagan deities by the saint, she came to the temple, fell at the feet of the martyr and, condemning the cruelty of the tormentor and the madness of those who worshipped idols, openly confessed Christ. 12 Beheading of Saint George Emperor Diocletian, in a frenzy, immediately pronounced the death sentence on the Great Martyr George and the holy Tsarina Alexandra. At the place of execution, the saint asked the Lord in fervent prayer that He would forgive the tormentors and lead them to the knowledge of the Truth. Calmly and courageously, the Holy Great Martyr George bowed his head to the sword.On the reverse side is a prayer to St. George.: "As the liberator of the captives and the protector of the poor, the physician of the infirm, the champion of kings, the victorious and great martyr George, pray to Christ our God for our souls. Through faith, O passion-bearer of Christ, you have labored with a good deed, and you have rebuked the tormentors of wickedness, but you have offered a sacrifice acceptable to God, thereby accepting the crown of victory, and through your holy prayers grant forgiveness to all transgressions. You have shown yourself to be a most honest worker of piety, having gathered for yourself the virtues of the hilt, having sown in tears, you have reaped joyfully, having suffered with your blood, you have accepted Christ, and through your holy prayers, grant forgiveness to all transgressions." Along the end of the product are the words of the akathist: "O all-laudable, Holy Great Martyr and Wonderworker George! Look upon us with your speedy help, and beseech God, Who loves mankind, that He may not condemn us sinners according to our iniquities."