On this day, July 3 according to the Julian Calendar (July 16 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Venerable George the God-Robed, the spiritual teacher and mentor of Saint George the Hagiorite.
The Venerable George the God-Robed was a Georgian ascetic of the tenth century who, burning with love for God and desiring to flee the tumult of the world, departed from Georgia and settled on the Black Mountain (also known as the Wonderful Mountain) in the region of Antioch, in Syria. There he lived in strict asceticism, spending his days in prayer, fasting, and labor for the sake of Christ.
It was on the Black Mountain that the young George — who would later become famous throughout the Orthodox world as George the Hagiorite, the great translator and spiritual luminary of Georgia — came to Venerable George as his disciple and spiritual father. Under the guidance of the God-Robed elder, the young George received his formation in the ascetic life and was prepared for his great vocation.
The epithet “God-Robed” or “God-Clothed” (ღმერთშემოსილი) indicates one who is clothed in divine grace — one whose whole being has been transformed by union with God. The Venerable George was renowned among the monks of the Black Mountain for his holiness, humility, and deep prayer.
After his blessed repose, Venerable George the God-Robed was venerated by the Georgian Church as a saint, and his memory is kept on July 3 of the Old Style calendar.
May the intercessions of the Venerable George the God-Robed be with us all.