St George, friend of St Abraam
On the 18th day of the Coptic month of Bashons we celebrate the life of St George, the friend to St Abraam.
George, the companion of St. Abraam, was a shepherd for his father’s herd, who were saintly Christian parents. As he desired becoming a monk, he left his family when he was only fourteen years old. He went to the wilderness of St. Macarius. While he was walking on the road, the devil appeared to him in the form of an old man and said, "Your father thought that a wild beast had killed you, and he rent his garment, grieving over you. You should return to him and comfort his heart. Then return to the wilderness". George was astonished at this revelation. Saying to himself: "The Bible says: 'He who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.'" And when he said that, the devil became like smoke and fled from him. Immediately, the angel of the Lord in the form of a monk appeared to him, and guided him to the monastery of Abba Orion. He remained there for ten years, not eating any cooked food, fruit or wine.
He then desired to live alone in the inner wilderness and went to the monastery of the Roman Saints Maximus and Domadius in Scetis. At the same time, St. Abraam arrived to the monastery. They went together to the monastery of St. Macarius and met St. Yoannis, the archpriest of Sheahat. He gave them a cell close by him to live in, which was known as the cell of Bageeg, where St. Abraam departed. Shortly after George also departed. He was seventy-two years old.
Lessons from this story
What a comparative experience this young boy had. Having left his home at the young age of 14 years, he would not have the knowledge nor the learned discernment to know a devil from an angel - for both appeared to him in a similar form. One an elderly man, the other a monk. Only his knowledge of the Bible helped to know which was true guide and which was false prophet.
In our daily lives we interact with all types of people. For business, for pleasure, during service, or a multitude of other situations. It is virtually impossible to know who would guide us correctly and who would led us astray. Most people's intentions can be figured out pretty quick, but sometimes we are often completely shocked or unprepared for a person’s intentions.
Living a prayerful life, inviting God the Father into every aspect of our life is a sure fire way to make sure no ill intentions befall us. Does this mean we will not make bad mistakes? Of course not. God grants us free will. But we should be smart about our requests to God.
God loved Solomon greatly for he “have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom..” (2 Chronicles 1:11) Wisdom is perhaps the greatest gift the Lord God could grant us, more so than riches, power or worldly lusts. Through wisdom we can navigate the world filled with so many temptations that are designed to literally draw us to hell. Even though they appear as minor offenses, each of them is designed to desensitize us to wrongdoing.
In his innocence of the world and being raised by devout Christians, George was well prepared to repel against the temptations of the devil, using his love for his father as a trick to turn George a way from a path of piety and monastic living. But the Lord tickled the memory of George’s knowledge of the Bible and the devil was revealed.
This telling of this saint’s story can help us highlight the importance of daily prayer, daily bible reading and lending our decisions on the guidance of the Lord. There is a saying, “haste makes waste”, this is true for us as well. If we hastily make decisions, they are typically being led by emotions. Don’t be in a rush to make a decision. Pause, pray and wait for the guidance of the Lord.

Prayer
God bless us with wisdom in our daily life. Help to quell the rising emotions this world...