Prince Philip funeral: Coffin carried into St George's Chapel

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

April 23 is St George’s Day in England, however, the day of celebration for England’s patron saint will look a little different this year. Due to lockdown restrictions, organised events and street parties will not be going ahead for St George’s Day. However, many will be celebrating the national day in their own way at home this year.

Where was St George from?

It is thought St George was born around 280AD in Cappadocia, which is now modern-day Turkey.

St George was believed to be a soldier under the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, who persecuted Christians while he was in power.

St George died a Christian martyr in 303 AD, as it is thought he was executed for refusing to make a sacrifice in honour of the pagan gods.

St George’s remains were taken to Lydda (now Lod, Israel), the homeland of his mother, following his death.

Tales of St George often centre on the story of St George’s fight with a dragon.

However, this story is thought to have circulated in the centuries following St George’s death, after tales of his courage spread across Europe.

St George’s Day is usually held on April 23, which is believed to be the date St George died on.

What is a patron saint?

A patron saint is the protecting or guiding saint of a specific place, and many nations have a patron saint.

England’s patron saint has been St George for hundreds of years.

England also shares St George as its patron saint with Portugal, Ethiopia, Venice and Catalonia, to name a few.

Wales’s patron saint is St David, Scotland’s is St Andrew and Ireland’s is St Patrick.

DON’T MISS: 
St George’s Day 2021: Why is St George’s Day NOT a bank holiday? [INSIGHT]
‘Englishness seen as a snub’: Ben Fogle fury at St George’s Day error [ANALYSIS]
Memo to the woke: 1984 was not supposed to be an instruction manual [COMMENT]

Why is St George patron saint of England?

According to English Heritage, St George was canonised in AD 494 by Pope Gelasius, “who claimed he was one of those ‘whose names are justly revered among men but whose acts are known only to God’.”

King Edward III made St George the patron saint of England in 1350, after forming the Order of the Garter in St George’s name.

Following England’s victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, St George’s Day was seen as one of the most important feast days of the year.

Although St George is England’s patron saint, St George was not English and he likely never even visited England.

St George’s Day was widely celebrated in England for centuries, but in recent years it has not been considered a public holiday.

St George’s Day is not a bank holiday, so shops and workplaces open as usual on April 23.

However, people still choose to mark St George’s Day across the country with parades, parties and England flags.

Source: Read Full Article