The accepted date of Saint George’s death, April 23, is commemorated annually as Saint George’s Day. Saint George is the patron saint of numerous cities in Europe, including England, Portugal, Bulgaria, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and the Republic of Macedonia. It is also a provincial government holiday in Newfoundland, Canada, and a regional holiday in Aragon, Spain, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. St. George is also the patron saint of a number of organisations, including the Scout Movement, which commemorates St. George’s Day annually.
The background of Saint George’s Day
Saint George’s DaySaint George is said to have been born in Turkey around the year 280 A.D. He began as a soldier in the Roman Army and ultimately rose through the ranks to become Diocletian’s personal guard. Saint George is famous for defeating the dragon. According to legend, the only well in the settlement of Silene was guarded by a dragon. The inhabitants of the town were required to perform a daily human sacrifice in order to obtain water from the well. One day while Saint Goerge was in town, a damsel was chosen for sacrifice. Saint George rescued the princess, slew the dragon, and provided convenient access to the well for the people of Silene. After this courageous deed, the town’s inhabitants converted to Christianity.
Saint George was a Christian during the reign of anti-Christian Emperor Diocletian in Rome. He refused to submit to the Roman gods and offer sacrifices. In the end, on April 23, 303 A.D., he was beheaded for being a Christian as a result of this. He is interred in the Israeli city of Lod.
His popularity is not due to his martyrdom or resistance to the emperor, but to his heroic exploits. According to his legends, he rescued maidens, slew demons, and saved people. These tales emerged in the eleventh century and eventually became popular throughout Asia and Europe. St. George is the most revered and celebrated saint in England. His day was once celebrated as if it were Christmas. Saint George, the patron saint of the country, is as iconic as the white and red flag.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SAINT GEORGE
According to a myth from the fifth century, Saint George survived three times after being slain, dismembered, and buried once.
Due to historical uncertainty, Pope Paul VI demoted him to optional devotion in 1969; John Paul II reinstated him in 2000.
Saint George’s Day was designated a national holiday in England in 1415, but it was cancelled following the union with Scotland.
The George Cross Medal is the highest civilian award for gallantry and valour in the United Kingdom.
St. George is the patron saint of those suffering from skin maladies, the plague, leprosy, butchers, horses, farmers, equestrians, and soldiers.
SAINT GEORGE’S DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | April 23 | Sunday |
2024 | April 23 | Tuesday |
2025 | April 23 | Wednesday |
2026 | April 23 | Thursday |
2027 | April 23 | Friday |