Venerable George of Choziba

Venerable George of Choziba was a 6th–7th-century Palestinian ascetic of the monastery of Choziba in the Wadi Qelt gorge. His life was written by his disciple Antony of Choziba.

Born in Cyprus, George followed his elder brother Heraclides, a monk of the Kalamon monastery by the Jordan, and was tonsured at nearby Choziba. Already as a novice he worked miracles and, fleeing fame, withdrew to Kalamon, where he lived in strict asceticism for many years. Later he returned to a cell at Choziba under Abbot Leontius. He kept no wine, oil or bread, eating every three or four days small balls made of the brethren's leftovers dried in the sun, while also baking bread, gardening and tending poultry for the community.

He foresaw in a vision the devastation of the Holy Land by the Persians. During the invasion of Khosrow II in 614 he stayed at Kalamon; the Persians killed or captured the monks but released George, amazed at his emaciated appearance. He died around 625 after the brethren had regathered at Choziba. His head is kept in the monastery church of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Feast: 8 (21) January.