St. George’s Day

     St. George’s

     
When is St. George’s Day?

         St. George’s Day is celebrated every year on April 23rd.
        This is the date when St. George died in the year 303 AD.
        In England, this day is special because St. George is the country’s patron saint.

     
Who was St. George?

        St. George was a Roman soldier a long time ago, and he was also a Christian.
       When the king told people to stop being Christian, St. George refused.
       Because of this, he was killed for his faith and became known as a brave hero.

      The Story of the Dragon

        There’s a famous legend about St. George and a dragon:

• A dragon was scaring a town.

• People gave animals and even humans to the dragon to stay safe.

• One day, the princess was chosen.

• St. George arrived just in time, fought the dragon, and saved the princess.

• Everyone in the town was so thankful, they started believing in Christianity.

          This story shows how good defeats evil and how one brave person can save many.

     
Why Do We Celebrate Him in England?

           Even though St. George wasn’t born in England, he became the symbol of English bravery
and honor.
           In the 1300s, King Edward III made him England’s official patron saint.

           His red cross on a white background is now the flag of England, called the St. George’s
Cross.

        How Do People Celebrate?

          St. George’s Day is not a public holiday, but people still enjoy it with:

•     Parades with knights, dragons, and fun costumes

•    Church prayers and services for St. George

•    Wearing a red rose (England’s national flower)

•    Flying the St. George’s flag outside homes

•    Eating traditional English food like roast beef or fish and chips

•    Kids learn about the dragon story through school plays or drawing   

          Is St. George Celebrated in Other Places?

          Yes! Many countries also love and respect St. George:

• In Spain (Catalonia), people give books and roses to each other on April 23.

• In Georgia (the country), St. George is so important that the country is even named after him!

• He is also celebrated in Portugal, Greece, Ethiopia, and more.

  
  Fun Facts

• The famous writer Shakespeare was born and died on April 23 – the same day as St. George’s Day!

• English soldiers used to shout: “For England and St. George!” in battles.

• Some people want this day to become an official holiday in England, like St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.

         In Short

•  Date: April 23

•  Who: St. George – brave soldier and Christian hero

•  Story: Fought a dragon and saved a princess

• Why England? He is the patron saint of the country

•  Celebrations: Parades, church, food, flags, stories