†On this day, we commemorate the consecration of the Church of St. George (Mari Girgis) in Lydda, Palestine. St. George received the martyrdom crown from Emperor Dadianus in the 23rd of Baramoudah, year 263 A.D. His mother hid his body in Lydda until the end of persecution. In the early reign of Emperor Constantine the great, the faithful built a church after his name and placed his pure body in it. This holy church witnessed many miracles and healings from his holy body. On the 7th day of the Blessed Month of Hatour, Empire Diocletian sent Eukheius, the head of his army, to destroy the church. Eukheius mocked the Saint and broke a lamp, causing fear and trembling. He died on the way back and was cast into the sea. When Diocletian heard this, he decided to destroy the church himself. The Lord bore no longer with him and smote him with blindness. The Lord took the kingdom away from him and placed Constantine, a righteous Emperor, in his place. Emperor Constantine closed pagan temples and opened churches, and the churches and universe rejoiced, especially the church of St. George.
The blessing of his prayers be with us all. Amen.†
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