Two years after the death of their parents, his older brother, Kyriakos, for unknown reasons, began to treat him very harshly. When he was only five years old, he was sent to graze his sheep, with all the danger, effort and hardship that this entailed for such a small child.
Let's just consider that the average altitude in Tsalka is 1600 meters. In fact, because of the harsh climate, Tsalka is also called Georgian Siberia. When Athanasios (Saint George) returned from grazing, it was not uncommon for his brother to beat him and send him to sleep in the stable, for no apparent reason.
His grandmother was deeply saddened by Kyriakos' brutal behavior towards Athanasios and more because Kyriakos did not pay attention to her advice and pleas.
Athanasios, however, although young, endured the ordeal with admirable courage. At the same time, he took advantage of the silence in the wilderness of the mountains, learning to know God through each of His creations and to pray fervently. Prayer and chanting accompanied him during the long hours of grazing and sweetened his sorrow.
Let's just consider that the average altitude in Tsalka is 1600 meters. In fact, because of the harsh climate, Tsalka is also called Georgian Siberia. When Athanasios (Saint George) returned from grazing, it was not uncommon for his brother to beat him and send him to sleep in the stable, for no apparent reason.
His grandmother was deeply saddened by Kyriakos' brutal behavior towards Athanasios and more because Kyriakos did not pay attention to her advice and pleas.
Athanasios, however, although young, endured the ordeal with admirable courage. At the same time, he took advantage of the silence in the wilderness of the mountains, learning to know God through each of His creations and to pray fervently. Prayer and chanting accompanied him during the long hours of grazing and sweetened his sorrow.
St. George Karslidis
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