St George's Day

St. George's Day in United Kingdom

St
George's Day in England remembers St George, England's patron saint.
The anniversary of his death, which is on April 23, is seen as England's
national day. According to legend, he was a soldier in the Roman army
who killed a dragon and saved a princess.

According
to legend, St George slayed a dragon. Many Christians observe St
George's Day in the UK, although it is not a public holiday.

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Celebrate St George's Day

St George's Day used to be a national holiday in England. It is now
an observance that is celebrated with parades, dancing and other
activities. Flags with the image of St George's cross are flown on some
buildings, especially pubs, and a few people wear a red rose on their
lapel. Church services on the Sunday closest to April 23 often include
the hymn 'Jerusalem', written by the poet William Blake. The words
describe a supposed visit to Glastonbury, England, by Jesus Christ
during his youth.

Public life

April 23 is not a public holiday. Schools, stores, post offices,
businesses and other organizations are open as usual. Public transport
services run to their usual timetables.

About St George's Day

St George was born sometime around the year 280 in what is now
Turkey. He was a soldier and rose up through the ranks of the Roman
army, eventually becoming a personal guard to the Emperor Diocletian. He
was executed for being a Christian on April 23, 303, and is buried in
the town of Lod in Israel.


St George is most widely known for slaying a dragon. According to
legend, the only well in the town of Silene was guarded by a dragon. In
order to get water, the inhabitants of the town had to offer a human
sacrifice every day to the dragon. The person to be sacrificed was
chosen by lots. On the day that St George was visiting, a princess had
been selected to be sacrificed. However, he killed the dragon, saved the
princess and gave the people of Silene access to water. In gratitude,
they converted to Christianity. It is thought that the dragon represents
a certain type of pagan belief that included the sacrifice of human
beings.


St George's Day was once celebrated as widely as Christmas. But the
celebrations waned by the end of the 18th century after England had
united with Scotland on May 1, 1707. In recent times, there has been a
push, involving campaigns and petitions, to make the day a public
holiday in England.


St George is the patron saint of a number of other places, such as
Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Portugal and Russia. He is also
remembered in some regional holidays, such as in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada
and among the Gorani people who live in a mountainous area in the
Balkans and were converted to Islam many centuries ago, but still
observe St George's Day. Around the world, a number of days are devoted
to St George, including April 23 and dates in November and December of
the Gregorian calendar.







What would make the English like St George's Day? - BBC News



 St.George's Day is the oft forgotten patron saint celebration. The BBC has some suggestions on how to make it more popular...



 

Welcome to St George's Day.com The site for all things English!

Welcome to St George’s Day.com, the website offering information on
all things English, that celebrates our great English Heritage and
actively promotes St George’s Day on the 23rd April.





 

Facts about St George's Day 2014 - England's National Day

 

 

St George's Day Activities