Saint Blessed Prince George (1189–1238) was the second son of Grand Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest. In 1212, he inherited the Vladimir Grand Duchy throne. George was distinguished by his piety and military valor, having founded Nizhny Novgorod. In 1237, the Mongol-Tatar hordes of Batu invaded the Russian land, ravaging Ryazan and burning Moscow. He left Vladimir in the care of his sons and commanders, and himself moved north to unite with other princes. On March 4, 1238, a battle with the Tatars took place on the River Sit. Learning of the fall of Vladimir and the death of his sons, the prince turned to God in prayer, asking for a martyr's death for the Christian faith. He perished in battle, having had his head severed. After the battle, Bishop Kirill II of Rostov found his body and buried it in Rostov. Two years later, the coffin with the body was transferred to the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. In 1645, the body of the holy prince was found incorrupt, and a church glorification of the saint took place. The relics of Prince George were placed in a silver reliquary, arranged by His Holiness Patriarch Joseph.
