St. George's Day - 23rd April 2008

Saint George is the Patron Saint of England

It is thought that Saint George was born in the year 270 AD in the country we now know as Eastern Turkey. By the age of 17 he had joined the Roman army and was serving under the pagan Emperor Diocletian. George was well known for his bravery and the Emperor favoured him with many of his most important missions. It was while he was on one of these missions, here in England, that he heard the Emperor was torturing and putting Christians to death because of their faith. He quickly returned to Rome and begged Diocletian to stop this. The Emperor tried to get George to give up his Christian beliefs instead and when he refused had him beheaded thereby creating one of the first Christian martyrs. The date was 23rd April 303.

Whilst information about the man maybe scarce the legend of Saint George killing the Dragon is known worldwide. The legend where he rescues an innocent maiden by killing the dragon may not have appeared until the 12th century but different versions have appeared through the years. Even the Emperor Diocletian has been portrayed as the dragon in some versions - but the underlying theme remains the same - good triumphing over evil.

Throughout history Saint George has been adopted as a figurehead or patron by many different associations and groups. Lord Baden-Powell felt St. George's principals were everything a Scout should be and so he became the Patron Saint of the Scouting Movement. It is traditional that on St. George's Day all Scouts renew their Scout Law and Promise and a St. George's Day Parade is held on the nearest Sunday to 23rd April every year.

During the Second World War King George VI created the George Cross and the George Medal in recognition of extreme courage and bravery shown by civilians during this time. It is the UK's highest award for bravery by a civilian or a military person where the award of the Victoria Cross is not applicable). (The Victoria Cross can only awarded to military personnel.)

Due to the lack of positive information about Saint George the Catholic church demoted him to a third class minor saint at the beginning of the 20th Century. However, in the year 2000 he was reinstated as a 'national saint' by the Pope and given back his day of celebration.

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Saturday, 5 July, 2008

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