St. George's Day April 23rd

Heritage

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St. George painting by Paolo Uccello from 1470 in England's National Gallery

April 23rd, is a day that fewer people recognize today.  It is St. George's Day and England's National Day.

St. George is, in fact, England's patron saint, despite that he was born in Turkey to Christian parents and  later became a Roman soldier., He stood in protest against the treatment by the Romans toward the Christians and was beheaded in Palestine on April 23, 303 for his stance.

In addition to England, he is also the patron saint of many other countries including, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Russia and Ethiopia among others, as well as the cities of Beirut, Genoa, Ferrara, Freiburg and Moscow.

The flag of St. George is a white standard that  bears a red cross and was brought to England by Richard the Lion Heart in the 12th century during the time of the crusades and, today, is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's  Flag (commonly referred to as the Union Jack).  St. George is always shown as a knight astride a horse while slaying a dragon. 

Today, he is also the  patron saint of Scouting,  soldiers, cavalry, farmers, field workers and those suffering from diseases such as leprosy.

On April 23, Scouts and Guides throughout England march to their local churches for a special service.  Just as Canada wears the red poppy on November 11, on St. George's day in England the national flower, the red rose, is worn.

Today, he is also the  patron saint of Scouting,  soldiers, cavalry, farmers, field workers and those suffering from diseases such as leprosy.

The flag of St. George

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Thursday, April 22, 2010