Martyr
Martyr George the New of Sofia
ок. 1497 — 11 февраля 1515
Also known as: Георгий Новый, Георгий Новый Кратовский, Георгий Кратовец, Георгий Новый, Серб, Софийский, Мч. Георгий Новый Софийский
A young goldsmith from Kratovo living in Sofia, burned by the Turks in 1515 for refusing to accept Islam; canonized in Russia at the Council of 1549.
The Martyr George the New was born around 1497 in Kratovo, Macedonia, to a pious Christian family, learned to read and trained as a goldsmith. Orphaned early and fearing conscription into the janissaries, he moved to Sofia between 1509 and 1512 and lived in the house of the priest Peyo, who became his spiritual teacher.
A learned Turk, posing as a customer, tried to convert him to Islam, but George refuted his arguments; he was then accused of blaspheming Islam and imprisoned. Strengthened by Peyo, he endured beatings and torture and was burned at the stake near the Church of St Sophia on 11 February 1515, aged eighteen according to his Life. His body was secretly buried in the Church of St Marina.
His Life was written by Peyo shortly after his death, and his veneration spread through Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia and Mount Athos. In Russia a tale of George the New was compiled in 1539 and edited by Metropolitan Macarius, under whom he was canonized at the Council of 1549. The Russian Church commemorates him on 26 May (8 June New Style). He should not be confused with the Great Martyr George the Newest of Sofia.