/ Ñanvas art prints and posters
St George's Miracle. Art print on canvas
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The Saint George, George the Victor – is one of the most beloved, esteemed saints of Russia. Persecutions on Christians began during the apostles’lifetime: they were faithful to their God and refused to esteem idolized roman emperors. Persecutions were noted for dreadful cruelty, especially during the Neuron (37 – 68s) and Diocletian’s (243 - 318 s.) ruling. The Saint George, who really lived in III century, suffered from crucifixions and death for faith. According to the biography, The Saint George was noble by birth, from Kappadokia, Asia Minor, which was the part of the Roman Empire at that time. He was Christian, when in the time of Diocletian persecutions broke out like mad, George refused from title and wealth and went to the emperor to stand up for his faith. With the force of his faith the Saint George managed to turn empress Alexandra into Christianity, but emperor Diocletian put him to prison. According to the biography, after imprisoning George was put on the awful ranks, each of them could crush anybody’s will-power or just kill him: he was beaten “in the air”(when body has no point of rest), they filled him up with molten tin, put him on red-hot metal bull, tortured with breaking on the wheel ( roped to wheel person is slewing, pressing to sharpened pikes). George has stood all ranks thanks to his faith, divine mercy. By order of emperor an executioner cut his head off. But the greater importance and fame get a story “George’s miracle about a snake”, presented in Byzantium and Russia. It narrates that king Selvy, who ruled Lais town, was heathen and idolater. The town was flourishing, but not far from it a huge snake appeared in bog and began to consume population. The king gathered troops and went fighting with the snake, but the snake made roughness in bogand troops could not come closer. Then the king made an order, according to which people had to give the snake their children, and promised to give his only daughter when his turn came. All the children were given and the king sent his daughter, princess Elisava, with the mourning. At that time George was still alive and came back to homeland through Lais. He saw a crying girl and began to ask her what was happening and she told him about the snake. George asked her what God she and her father believed in. The girl answered:”Hercules, Scamander, Appolone and Artemide.”.Then he said:”You will believe in my God. Do not be afraid and keep calmness.” He prayed in a loud voice asking to show a sign and throw the snake to his feet in order to heathens could believe in. The voice came from heaven:” Your prayer was heard, do what you decided”. At that time the snake got closer to him and the Saint, crossing himself, rushed to it and the snake fell down to his feet. George took a belt, tied the snake and ordered her to take him to the town. The girl led the snake and they together came to the town, where people firstly began to run out frightened. But George ordered them not to be afraid and come to believe in true God, Jesus Christ, and then he killed the snake. People praised Jesus Christ and the Trinity, and the Saint drew his sword, killed the snake and return the daughter to her father. After that George invited bishop from Alexandria to christen the king, his daughter and the people of this town (about 240000). The hero’s inner strength and discovered grace are confirmed especially brightly and earnestly by the victory against the snake. That is why the saint great martyr George got his another name – the Victor. The veneration of the Saint George has become the essential part old russian culture. Ancient temples and cloisters were founded in his honor, great princes gave their sons his name, 23.april (6.may – new style) is celebrated his holyday. At first time, George, winning the snake, was the Moscow’s emblem, but then he became the part of emblem of Russian state.
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| Media of Original Painting | Tempera on wood |
| Museum of original | From collection of the Tretyakov Gallery |
| Epochs | Art about 17th Centuries |
| Subjects | Christian Subjects in Art |
| Date of Origin | Íà÷àëî 16 âåêà |
| Size of original, cm | 115x98 |
See also:
Icons. St George's Miracle. Fine art print B3
Icons. St George's Miracle. Fine art print B2
