St George’s Day is the feast day of England’s patron saint and is celebrated on April 23, to commemorate the anniversary of his death in 303 AD.
Also known as The Feast of Saint George, it is a customary celebration of various Christian churches,as well as other nations, states and countries of which Saint George is the patron saint - including BulgariaPortugal, Romania and Spanish communities such as Aragon and Catalonia.
The legend of Saint George and the Dragon tells the tale of the saint taming and slaying a dragon and has been recalled to imaginative minds since the Crusades and the Hundred Years’ War.
Many people still celebrate St George today - marking the occasion by lighting up buildings in white and red, the colours of the English flag.
But if you’re lesser acquainted with England’s legendary figure, we’ve got your questions answered. From the history behind the dragon slayer, to more about the celebrations in this country and across the world, here is everything you need to know about St George’s Day.
Happy St George’s Day 2024!
The Feast Day of Saint George is celebrated annually on April 23 (today!).
Recognised annually onthe anniversary of St George’sdeath, the day was previously a national holidayand was once celebrated as widely as Christmas.
Who was St George?
Born around AD 280, in what is now known as Cappadocia,Turkey, St George was a Christian martyr and became a soldier in the Roman army. He later progressedto the role of a personal guard for the Emperor Diocletian.
The emperor was one of the leaders ofthe Great Persecution of Christians, which saw churches destroyed, scriptures burnt and followers of the religion prohibited from joining the army and assemble for worship.
St Georgeprotested against suchpersecution and remained dedicated to his Christian faith, consequently facing imprisonment and torture. He was eventually beheaded in Palestine on April 23, AD 303.
His head was taken to, and stored, in the church dedicated to him in Rome, while the rest of his body was buried in Lod, Israel.
His strength, courage and loyalty to his faith soon spread around Europe, and it eveninspired his wifeto allegedly convert toChristianity,despite also facingexecution herself.
Why do the English celebrate St George?
St George became a legendary figure in English history due to his courage and bravery- however he never actually set foot in England. The country adopted him as its patron saint, with April 23 being chosen as the date of celebration to mark his death.
King Edward III established the Order of the Garter in his name around 1348, but it wasn’t untilthe 14th Century thatSt George was regarded as a special protector of the English. Following England’s victory at Agincourt in 1415, Archbishop Chichele raised the celebration of St George to a Double Feast.
St George has been immortalised in many ways, for example, in Shakespeare’s Henry V, Act III features a speech with ‘Cry God for Harry, England and St George”.
St George and the dragon
In addition to his army background anddedicationto his faith, St George isfamous for fighting a dragon, whichtypically symbolised the Devil during the Middle Ages.
Legend says that St George fought a dragon and saved a princess in the town of Silene - although this is most likely a myth. According to legend, the only well in Silenewas guarded by a dragon and each day, residents had to make human sacrifices in order to access the water.
A princess was the next to be sacrificed and on the day she was due to be killed, St George bravely fought the dragon to save her. After St George successfully killed the dragon, the people of Silene were finally granted free access to the well and, as a token of theirgratitude, they converted to Christianity.
Why is St George’s Day not a public holiday?
While many countries mark their patron saint’s day with a national holiday, England does not do the same for St George’s Day.
St Patrick’s Day, St David’s Day and St Andrew’s Day see Ireland, Wales and Scotland celebrated with patriotic community events but St George’s Day has become less significant over the years, leaving the nation confused as to whether they should recognise and celebrate it or not.
As the date isn’t viewed as abank holiday, transport, schools and businesses operate as normal every year.
In 2018, former leader of the Labour PartyJeremy Corbyn, saidthe patron saint day would become a national holiday under a Labourgovernment.Some people showed theirsupport for this idea, arguing a public holiday would help increase celebrations again.
How is St George’s Day celebrated in England?
Since the 18th century, after England and Scotland united in 1707, celebrations have diminished, although some parades and public activities continue to be held every year.
St George’s Cross,England’s flag and part of the Union Jack, is the symbol displayed on April 23. Dating back to the year of1188, crosses were first used by King Henry IIof England andKing Philip II of France for their crusade symbols.
Despite England adopting a white cross at first, it later switchedto a red cross, which wasused as part of the uniforms ofEnglish soldiers in several battles.Edward I eventuallymade thissymbola national emblem during his reign.
Today,St George’s cross is used frequently at football, rugby and cricket games, with fans wearing scarves, painting their faces and flying flags to show their support for England.
While St George’s Day celebrationshave decreased over time, there are still some parades,music performances and public events held across the country to honour the patron saint.
A red rose has also been the national emblem of England since the War of the Roses, 1455-1485, andsome people chooseto wear this flower on St George’s Day.
As well as being the Patron Saint of England, St George is the Patron Saint of Scouting and around April 23, Scouts often hold celebrations such as parades and faith services.
The Feast of St Georgealso takes place in Trafalgar Square, London,every year however, unfortunately, the event had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Celebrations are back on in 2022, with the Mayor of London confirming the event featuring live music, food and free fun for all ages.
Nottingham is holding its traditionalSt George’s Parade, which usually lasts for half an hour with celebrationsin the city centre, across pubs and Old Market Square.
The hymn of Jerusalem is traditionally sung on the day and Morris Dancers often perform around the country.
Some pubs decorate their interiorswithSt George’s cross on April 23, offering people the chance to celebrate together over a drink.
St George’s Day celebrations across the world
Even though celebrations may be minimal in England, St George is also the patron saint of other countriesand each nation has their own way of honouring the day.
In Russia, St George’s Day is honoured on May6, because the Russian Orthodox Church use the Julian Calendar. In recognition of the patron saint,the black and orange Ribbon of St George is used by civilians as a patriotic symbol.
Albania also celebrate and represent their joy by lighting fires and playing around it while similarly in Croatia, fires are lit on St George’s Day to mark the first day of Spring.
In Catalonia, Spain, a public holiday is held for St George (Sant Jordi), withroses and booksexchanged by lovers and in Bulgaria, it is a tradition to roast a whole lamb because St George is the patron saint of shepherds.
In Ethiopia, St George is known as the Patron Saint of Saints and they celebrate on May1.
In Georgia, St George’s Dayis celebrated on November23, and on this daythey recognise the torture St George endured for refusing to make sacrifices to the Roman gods.
This article is kept updated with the latest information.
