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| Saint George's Flag Image by James Yardley |
It is believed that Saint George died on April 23rd in 303 AD in Lydda, Palestine. It is traditionally understand that he was a Roman soldier and a priest who was renowned for his support of those in need. Saint George is venerated as a Christian martyr.
Saint George's Day celebrates the feast day of Saint George. Since the revision of the Roman Catholic calendar by Pope Paul VI, it has held the rank of "Memorial", which means that its celebration is optional.
Saint George is said to have appeared to the crusading armies during the Battle of Antioch in 1098, and was subsequently adopted as the Patron Saint of soldiers. The Byzantine troops to the Crusaders told similar stories, and they were later circulated more widely by troubadours.
King Richard I, known as "Richard the Lionheart", put his army under the direct protection of Saint George during his campaign in Palestine during 1191 and 1192.
Patron Saint of England
In 1222, the Synod of Oxford declared that a special celebration would take place on April 23rd every year in Saint George's honour. By the end of the 14th Century, Saint George was officially acknowledged as the Patron Saint of England.
Archbishop Chichele raised the importance of Saint George's Day in 1415, the year of Battle of Agincourt, decreeing that it should be observed on a par with Christmas Day. By 1778 the holiday had switched back to being a simple day of devotion.
Saint George and the Dragon
- The Dragon was terrorising a town
- A young princess was offered to the dragon in an attempt to appease it
- On hearing the story, Saint George rode to the town
- Saint George killed the dragon and rescued the young princess
The Flag of Saint George
The Flag of Saint George, also known as Saint George's Cross or the Colours of Saint George, consists of a red cross on a white background. These colours were adopted for soldiers' uniforms, probably during the reign of King Richard I. Later, the Flag of Saint George became the flag of England and the White Ensign of the British Royal Navy.
Celebrating Saint George's Day
Traditionally people wore a red rose on Saint George's Day, but this custom has become less common. Likewise, fewer people fly the Flag of Saint George on April 23rd since it has been adopted by supporters of English football and other sports fans.
The hymn Jerusalem is often sung during religious ceremonies on Saint George's Day, or on the nearest Sunday to it.
Saint George, Patron Saint of Scouting
Scouts and guides throughout England hold parades and attend special St George's Day services at their local church on the Sunday nearest to the Saint's Day.
Saint George, Patron Saint of many countries and cities
In addition to being the patron saint of England, Saint George is also the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of Amersfoort, Beirut, Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, and Moscow.
