Metropolitan Bishop
Our venerable father George, having loved Christ from his youth, became a monk and perfected himself in humility. During the reign of Leo the Isaurian, he became a confessor, suffering persecution from the iconoclasts. In the reign of Constantine and Irene, he was elevated to the episcopal throne in Mytilene, where he showed mercy and generosity, feeding the hungry. Due to his abstinence, he became a friend of angels, casting out unclean spirits and healing diseases, and he revealed himself as a miracle worker. Under Leo the Armenian, he again suffered persecution for the holy icons. In Mytilene, signs occurred that foretold turmoil in the Church. Saint Simeon predicted that a god-hating king would ascend the throne, who would desecrate the church. When Leo the Armenian ascended the throne, he began a persecution against the church and gathered bishops to accept the iconoclast heresy. George, summoned to the council, rebuked the king and the heretics, for which he was exiled to Cherson. An heretic was appointed in his place, who desecrated the church. Venerable George, while in exile, performed miracles. At his death, a star shone in heaven, announcing his departure to the Lord. After his death, miraculous healing springs flowed from his relics.
