George of Drama

Saint George of Drama (Greek: Ὁ Όσιος Γεώργιος της Δράμας, Georgian: დრამის წმინდა გიორგი, January 1, 1901 – November 4, 1959), born Athanasios Karslidis, was a Caucasus Greek Orthodox elder who is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is recognized particularly within the Greek and Georgian Orthodox traditions for his spiritual guidance and asceticism.

The relics of Karslidis are kept in the Monastery of the Ascension of Christ in Taxiarches, Drama.^[2] It is reported that his skull bears an imprint resembling the sign of the holy cross. He was glorified on Sunday, November 2, 2008, during a visit by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Drama.^[1] A portion of his relics was donated to the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2016, specifically to the episcopal see of Tsalka, Georgia.^[8]

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, at its meeting on December 24, 2008, resolved to include Karslidis in the Menology of the Russian Orthodox Church, designating his feast day as October 24/November 6.^[6][7]

George Karslidis was born in Chadik, Tsalka, in the Russian Empire, in 1901.^[9][10] His grandparents were refugees from Gümüşhane, in the Ottoman Empire, who fled after the Crimean War. He became an orphan at a young age, losing both parents on the same day, and was left with only his older brother. According to accounts, after experiencing abuse from his brother, the specific nature of which is not specified, he eventually escaped to the mountains, where he was found by Turkish villagers and taken to Pontus.^[11] It is said that he traveled through Georgia, Armenia, and Russia before settling in the village of Taxiarches, Drama, in Northern Greece. He founded the Monastery of the Ascension of Christ in Taxiarches, which was officially consecrated in 1939, served as its elder for the community in Drama. Some accounts report that Karslidis was seen to levitating in prayer during the Divine Liturgy.^[12]

Karslidis began his monastic life as a novice monk at a monastery in Georgia after traveling to Tiflis, he was cared for by a priest. According to reports, he waited nearly ten years to be officially tonsured a monk, which occurred in July 1919, at the age of eighteen. He was given the monastic name George Symeon.^[13]

According to his biographers, he was regarded as a spiritual elder by that time, attracting numerous people.^[14]

In 1929, Karslidis settled in the village of Taxiarches, Sipsa, Drama, Northern Greece, where he resided for the remaining thirty years of his life.^[3] In 1936, Karslidis made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visiting sites associated with the Christ's life, as well as various monasteries and hermitages.^[15]

In 1938, the Greek government allocated him an acre of land as part of a permanent distribution of farmland. On this plot, he established the foundations for a monastery dedicated to the Ascension of Jesus. The monastery was officially consecrated in 1939.^[15]

Followers of Karslidis believe that he foresaw World War II and the subsequent Greek Civil War.^[15] According to reports, in 1941, he was sentenced to death by Bulgarian forces; however, after he calmly prayed and asked them to proceed, they reportedly abandoned the execution out of fear and fled.^[3]

On the evening of November 3, 1959, he requested assistance to enter the monastery church, where he is reported to have venerated the icons and participated in the Eucharist for the last time. A few hours later, in the early morning of November 4, he died; it is said that he had predicted this the year before.

Oral tradition, documented in a monograph, describes his funeral. It states that his body was not embalmed and remained supple. Those present reported a radiant countenance and described what they interpreted as a holy light. Accounts also state that during the burial, two cypress trees near his grave appeared to bow, and flocks of birds gathered. These phenomena were interpreted by his followers as signs of his sanctity. George Karslidis was interred behind the Katholikon (Church) of the Monastery of the Ascension, where he had served for the preceding three decades.^[16]

Following the death of Karslidis, the monastery he founded fell into disrepair until Metropolitan Dionysios (Kyratsous) of Drama initiated its renovation in 1970. Since its renovation, monastic life has been re-established, including a sisterhood dedicated to Christ.^[17] On April 25, 1971, the monastery was consecrated, and on November 5, 1976, it received official recognition from the Church of Greece.^[18]

• Middleton, Herman A. "Elder George of Drama." In: Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives and Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece. 2nd Edition. Thessalonica, Greece & Asheville, NC: Protecting Veil Press, 2004. pp. 178–191.ISBN 9608761409
• Moses, Monk of Mount Athos. The Blessed Elder George Karslides (1901–1959). Thessaloniki: Orthodox Kypseli Publications, 1998. 149 pp.
• October 22/November 4. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).

• Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek)Ὁ Ὅσιος Γεώργιος Καρσλίδης. 4 Νοεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
• (in Greek) Όσιος Γεώργιος Καρσλίδης ο Ομολογητής. Ορθόδοξος Συναξαριστής. 04/11/2014.
• (in Greek) Θαύματα, διδαχές και Προφητείες του οσίου πατρός Γεωργίου Καρσλίδη. Ιερά Μητρόπολις Δράμας. 07/11/2011. Retrieved: 30 July 2014.
• (in Greek) ΙΕΡΕΣ ΜΟΝΕΣ – 2) Αναλήψεως Του Σωτήρος. Ιερά Μητρόπολις Δράμας. 18/10/2011 . Retrieved: 30 July 2014.
• (in Greek) ΙΕΡΑ ΜΟΝΗ ΑΝΑΛΗΨΕΩΣ ΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΤΑΞΙΑΡΧΩΝ (ΣΙΨΑ) ΔΡΑΜΑΣ. Μοναστήρια της Ελλάδας. Retrieved: 30 July 2014.