St George's Day

Today is St George's Day - what does it mean to most English people? Not much except a date on a calender. Haven't got a clue about it myself except having vague memories about a childhood story of St George slaying the dragon.

The English Patron Saint of England, every year there is the usual debate as to why we don't celebrate the date. Good old web looked up info about him Royal Society of St George

Quite surprised to learn he wasn't even English. He was probably born in Cappadocia, which is in present day Turkey, to Christian parents, a Roman father and a Palestinian mother.

St George was apparently imprisoned and tortured for his faith in Christ. Having defended his faith was beheaded at Nicomedia near Lyddia in Palestine on the 23rd of April in the year 303 AD.

An act of Christian martyrdom - more surprised to learn he's the patron saint of several other countries as well as England - including Palestine, Lithuania, Greece as well as Istanbul and Moscow.

He was probably martyred because of his protests against Rome's persecution of the Christians. The story about the dragon seems to be a metaphorical reference to the the might of Rome.

There are many fictional stories about his slaying the dragon to defend the princess - many children's books as well.