George of Kratovo
Orthodox south Slavic writer, saint, and silversmith
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Saint George of Kratovo (Bulgarian: Георги Софийски Нови, romanized: Georgi Sofiyski Novi, Serbian: Свети Ђорђе Кратовац, Macedonian: Свети Ѓорѓи Кратовски) was an Orthodox South Slavic writer and silversmith from Kratovo.[1]
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Sofia, Ottoman Empire
George of Kratovo George the New of Sofia Георги Софийски Нови Свети Ђорђе Кратовац | |
|---|---|
Fresco of Saint George of Kratovo. | |
| New Martyr | |
| Hometown | Kratovo, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 11 February 1515 Sofia, Ottoman Empire |
| Cause of death | Burnt Alive |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 11 February 25 March (Julian Calendar) |
Life
In his 16th century biography, it has been maintained that George was of Serbian origin.[1][2] The priest Peja wrote the liturgical rite and biography (zhitije) on Saint George between 1515 and 1523.[3][4] The work was published by Serbian historian Stojan Novaković in 1867, transcribed from a manuscript held in the National Library of Serbia in Belgrade.[3] Milan Milićević also wrote a work on Saint George in 1885.[5]
Bulgarian Orthodox Church sources maintain his parents were Bulgarians from Kratovo.[6] He became especially honoured during the Bulgarian National Revival, after Paisius of Hilendar included him in the list of Bulgarian saints, in his Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya (1762). In 1855 Nikola Karastoyanov from Samokov printed the Life of St. George the New, based on a manuscript kept in the metropolitan library of Sofia. At that time he became popular among Bulgarian painters and was depicted in many churches.[7]
Martyrdom
Saint George was burnt alive on a pyre by the Ottoman Turks on 11 February 1515 in Sofia, after he refused to convert to Islam. His death lead to him being proclaimed a New Martyr.[8] According to the Orthodox Church, George of Kratovo is celebrated on 11 February and 26 May (Julian Calendar).