George was thrown again in prison, but he was so happy and peaceful. The word about the miracles spread throughout the land. Many people came to visit him everyday and they listened to his teachings. They began to believe in Christ. When the Emperor became aware of the conversion of so many people to Christianity, he decided to test George one last time. He decided the best place for this would be the temple of Apollo.
In the meantime, the Saint prayed nonstop while in prison. One day, he laid down to rest and fell asleep. In his sleep, he saw Christ coming toward him. He was holding a bright crown which He placed on top of the Saint’s head. He bowed to him and said, “Don’t be afraid, George, but have courage because today you become worthy to reign with Me in Heaven. Prepare to receive the rewards of your trials.” George was overjoyed with Christ’s sweet words, and he waited impatiently for the morning to come.
The soldiers came and led the Saint to the temple of Apollo. The Emperor, the noblemen, and the people waited for him there. Then Diocletian spoke to him, “I have not put you to death so far because I admire your courage, and I am still waiting for you to repent for your actions. Sacrifice to the great gods, and I will take you in like my own son and reward you with riches.”
“Let’s go into your temple, Emperor, so that I may see your gods,” the Martyr said. The ruler ordered all people present to enter the temple with them. He believed that he was finally able to convince George to change his faith with his attractive gifts. The Saint was led to the altar. All waited to see what he would do.
Then, he turned towards the statue of Apollo and said while he made the sign of the cross, “Do you, spiritless statue, want me to honor you as if you were a god?” Immediately, a horrible sound came from the statue saying, “I am not a god, nor are any of the others here. We are demons and, because we hate humans, we mislead them so that they worship us like gods.”
“Then how dare you still remain in this place, when, I, a servant of Jesus Christ who is the true God, stand before you?” asked George.
After the Martyr spoke, all the idols fell to the ground and broke into thousands of pieces. The enraged pagan priests grabbed the Saint and dragged him out of the temple. They yelled angrily, “Put this horrible man to death, Emperor, before he destroys the altar and kills us all!”
| again (εγκέν) | Είναι επίρρημα και σημαίνει ξανά / πάλι. |
| many (μένυ) | Σημαίνει πολύς, πολλή, πολύ ή πολλοί, πολλές, πολλά. Χρησιμοποιείται για μετρήσιμα αντικείμενα/πρόσωπα, όχι για μη μετρήσιμα. |
| (to) last (λαστ) | Όταν χρησιμοποιείται ως επίθετο σημαίνει τελευταίος, ενώ όταν χρησιμοποιείται ως ρήμα σημαίνει διαρκώ / έχω διάρκεια. Στο κείμενο χρησιμοποιείται ως επίθετο. |
| temple (τεμπλ) | Είναι ο ειδωλολατρικός ναός, κυρίως. |
| sweet (σουΐτ) | Συναντάνται κυρίως ως επίθετο και σημαίνει γλυκός, γλυκιά, γλυκό. Αλλά χρησιμοποιείται και ως ουσιαστικό, που σημαίνει γλυκό (το φαγητό). |
| courage (κάριτζ) | Είναι ουσιαστικό και είναι το κουράγιο. Η λέξη που χρησιμοποιούμε στα ελληνικά προέρχεται από αυτήν. |
| (to) sacrifice (σάκριφαϊς) | Ρήμα και ουσιαστικό. Στο κείμενο χρησιμοποιείται ως ρήμα και σημαίνει θυσιάζω. Ως ουσιαστικό είναι η θυσία. |
| altar (άλταρ) | Το τραπέζι του ιερού ή ο βωμός. Η Αγία Τράπεζα στ’ αγγλικά λέγεται Holy Altar. |
| immediately (ιμίντιατλυ) | Είναι επίρρημα και σημαίνει αμέσως / αυτή τη στιγμή. |
| hate (χέιτ) | Σημαίνει μισώ ή μίσος. Στο κείμενο είναι ρήμα. |
| angrily (άνγκριλυ) | Το επίρρημα του angry και σημαίνει θυμωμένα / οργισμένα. |
Η φράση που θα μάθουμε να γράφουμε σ’ αυτό το μάθημα είναι
ότι «Είμαι υπηρέτης του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού»:
I am a servant of Lord Jesus Christ.