St George’s Day fell after the Easter bank holiday in 2019, where workers enjoyed a small break with wall-to-wall sunshine. In some places, temperatures climbed to 25C as people celebrated the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now this is over, people are celebrating St George – the Patron Saint of England and a national and Christian figure. The day celebrating him falls today on April 23, and an astonishing number of people believe it should be a bank holiday.

A poll conducted by Express.co.uk on April 23 has revealed 92 percent of readers are in favour of a St George’s Day bank holiday.

Only eight percent of people who took part believed St George’s Day should not be a bank holiday marked with the honour.

Readers took to the poll’s comments to voice their thoughts on the day celebrating England’s patron saint.

Many expressed frustrated at the view not as much attention is given to the saint compared to Wales and Scotland.

Express.co.uk readers said St George’s Day should be an occasion of national pride.

One commenter wrote: “St George’s Day usually passes with little comment, whilst the patron Saint day’s in Wales, Scotland and Ireland are always celebrated to the full.

“It is time we started doing the same in England and instil some pride back in our great country that true patriots have never lost.”

Another commenter said: “Time to get our national pride back and keep it.”

People are celebrating the saint in their numbers today, with Number 10 Downing Street flying St George’s flag.

However, the Church of England has argued against today’s celebration.

Religious authorities believe marking the saint day should be postponed to next week.

Church rules say if St George’s Day overlaps with another festival, it should be pushed back.

So the actual date for St George’s Day this year is Monday, April 29.

Matthew Salisbury, the Church of England’s national liturgy and worship adviser, told ITV: “St George’s Day is translated to April 29 as nothing other than a principal feast would take place during Easter week.”

A Church of England spokesman said: “To protect major festivals from overlapping, the saints days of St George and St Mark must be postponed.

“When St George’s Day or St Mark’s Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter, in this case, the week beginning April 29.”

Source: Read Full Article