St George's Day 2024: England's legendary story and how to celebrate

Let's reflect on the past events of St George's Day and how folks typically observe this occasion in England and beyond.

April 23rd is a special day for England as it is the celebration of St. George's Day, the patron saint of the country. This day holds significance as it marks the anniversary of his demise in the year 303 AD.

The commemoration of Saint George, also called The Feast of Saint George, is a traditional festivity celebrated by different Christian denominations and by some nations, regions, and territories that have Saint George as their patron saint. Among them are Bulgaria, Portugal, Romania, and certain communities in Spain such as Aragon and Catalonia.

The story of Saint George and the Dragon depicts how the saint subdued and killed a dragon. This legend has been passed down through history and has captivated people's imaginations since the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War.

Numerous individuals continue to commemorate St George in the present day by illuminating structures with white and red hues representing the English flag.

If you're not very familiar with the famous character from England, we're here to help you out. We'll answer all your questions, from the story of the hero who defeated a dragon to details about the festivities in England and other parts of the globe. This is a comprehensive guide to St George's Day that has got you covered.

Celebrate St George's Day 2024 With Joy!

Every year on April 23 (which is today!), people celebrate the Feast Day of Saint George.

Every year, the day of St. George's death is acknowledged and it was once a public holiday that used to be celebrated as widely as Christmas.

St. George: Who Was He?

St George was born some time around AD 280 in the area that we now call Cappadocia, Turkey. He followed the Christian faith and eventually joined the Roman army as a soldier. As he proved himself, he was promoted to serve as a guard for Emperor Diocletian. However, despite his loyalty and service, St George was ultimately martyred for his faith.

The ruler played a key role in the Great Persecution of Christians, where places of worship were demolished, religious texts were set ablaze, and those following this faith were forbidden to gather for worship or serve in the army.

St George objected to the act of being discriminated against due to his beliefs and continued to show his loyalty to his Christian faith. As a result, he was put into custody and subjected to physical suffering. In the end, he was executed by means of decapitation in Palestine on April 23, in the year 303 AD.

They brought his head to Rome and it was kept in a church named after him. The remaining part of his body was laid to rest in Lod, Israel.

The power, determination, and devotion he displayed for his religion quickly gained popularity throughout Europe. It reportedly had a significant influence on his spouse who supposedly switched to Christianity despite the risk of being put to death.

English Celebrate St. George: What's The Reason?

Despite never setting foot in England, St. George gained legendary status in English history thanks to his exceptional courage and bravery. The country embraced him as their patron saint and established April 23 as a day of celebration to commemorate his passing.

King Edward III created the Order of the Garter and named it after himself in approximately 1348. However, it was during the 1300s when St George became recognized as a significant defender of the English. After England triumphed at Agincourt in 1415, Archbishop Chichele elevated the celebration of St George to a Double Feast.

St George has been remembered and celebrated in various forms throughout history. One such instance can be found in Act III of Shakespeare’s Henry V, where a speech contains the famous phrase “Cry God for Harry, England and St George”.

The Legend Of St. George & The Dragon

Apart from his military experience and unwavering devotion to his religion, St George gained notoriety for battling a dragon, which was commonly regarded as a representation of the Devil in the medieval period.

There is a tale about St George where he battled a dragon and saved a princess in Silene. However, it is believed that this is just a story. The myth goes that a dragon kept watch over the sole water source in Silene, and locals had to offer up human sacrifices daily to drink from the well.

Once upon a time, there was a princess who was chosen to be sacrificed. However, when the day arrived for her to be killed, St George bravely battled against the dragon with the intention of saving her. Luckily, St George managed to triumph over the dragon and as a result, the citizens of Silene were finally given the freedom to use the well. In appreciation of St George's bold act, the people of Silene decided to convert to Christianity.

"Why Isn't St. George's Day A Holiday?"

Although numerous countries celebrate their patron saint's day by declaring it a public holiday, England does not follow the same tradition on St. George's Day.

On days like St Patrick's Day, St David's Day, and St Andrew's Day, people in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland come together for patriotic events. However, St George's Day seems to have lost its importance over time, and now it's unclear whether people should acknowledge and celebrate it or not.

Since this specific date is not considered an official holiday, transportation services, educational institutions, and companies continue with their regular operations on an annual basis.

Back in 2018, the previous head of the Labour Party named Jeremy Corbyn made an announcement that the day of the patron saint would change into a national holiday if the Labour party won in the election. A number of individuals expressed their agreement with this notion by stating that having a public holiday would assist in enhancing the festivities.

Celebrating St George's Day In England

Starting from the 1707 union of England and Scotland, festivities have gradually decreased in significance over the centuries. Nevertheless, certain processions and communal events remain a tradition that occurs annually.

On April 23, the flag of England, known as St George's Cross, is celebrated. This flag is a part of the Union Jack. Its origins date back to 1188, when it was used as a symbol by both King Henry II of England and King Philip II of France for their crusades.

Although England originally used a white cross, it eventually changed to a red cross. This was incorporated into the attire of English troops in numerous wars. Edward I subsequently declared this emblem to be a national symbol during his rule.

Currently, St George's cross is commonly displayed during football, rugby, and cricket matches as supporters don scarves, paint their faces, and hoist flags to demonstrate their backing for the English team.

Even though the festivities for St George's Day have declined as time has passed, there are still some processions, musical shows, and open events held nationwide to pay respect to the guardian saint.

Since the War of the Roses, which took place between 1455 and 1485, the red rose has been the national emblem of England. On St George's Day, some individuals opt to adorn this blossoming flower.

Apart from being the Guardian Saint of England, St George also holds the title of the Guardian Saint of Scouting. During the month of April, Scouts frequently organize commemorative events, including parades and religious services.

Every year, Trafalgar Square in London hosts the celebration of St. George's Feast. Regrettably, the gathering was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. In 2022, the festivities will resume with live music, delicious food, and exciting activities for people of all ages, as confirmed by the Mayor of London.

The city of Nottingham is preparing to have its usual St George's Parade, a customary event that typically spans 30 minutes in duration. This year, festivities will take place in the heart of the city, including various pubs and the Old Market Square.

On the day, people usually sing the traditional hymn of Jerusalem and Morris Dancers can be seen performing in different parts of the country.

On April 23, several pubs adorn their inside with the emblem of St George. This gives individuals a wonderful opportunity to revel in each other's company while enjoying a refreshing beverage.

Global Festivities For St George's Day

Despite the modest festivities in England, St. George serves as the patron saint in various other countries, and each nation has its distinct methods of commemorating this occasion.

St. George's Day is celebrated on May 6th in Russia as the Russian Orthodox Church observes the Julian Calendar. The citizenry uses the black and orange St. George Ribbon to show patriotism and honour their patron saint.

In Albania, they express their happiness by lighting fires and enjoying themselves around it. Croatia also lights fires on St George's Day to indicate the start of Spring.

In the region of Catalonia, Spain, there is a festive day to celebrate St George, known as Sant Jordi. It is customary for romantic partners to swap roses and books. On the other hand, in Bulgaria, people have a tradition to cook a whole lamb in honor of St George, as he is the guardian saint of shepherds.

In Ethiopia, the locals honor St George as the Saint of Saints and they commemorate this on May 1st.

The people of Georgia observe St George's Day every year on November 23. This special day marks the bravery of St George, who chose to endure torture instead of making sacrifices to the Roman gods.

This blog post is regularly updated with the most current details.