Saint George
Painting by Gustave Moreau depicting Saint George slaying the dragon
Martyr
Born	between ca. Gustave Moreau ( April 6, 1826 &ndash April 18, 1898) was a French Symbolist painter. AD 275 and 281, Nicomedia, Bithynia, modern-day northwestern Turkey
Died	April 23, 303, Lydda, Palestine
Venerated in	Christianity
Major shrine	Church of Saint George, Lod
Feast	April 23
Attributes	Clothed as a soldier in a suit of armor or chain mail, often bearing a lance tipped by a cross, riding a white horse, often slaying a dragon. Events By Place Roman Empire Roman Emperor Aurelian is murdered by troops while preparing to invade Persia. Events Births Aquilina, Christian saint Deaths Nicomedia ( Greek: Νικομήδεια modern İzmit) was founded by Nicomedes I of Bithynia at the head of the Gulf of Astacus which opens Description Several major cities sat on the fertile shores of the Propontis (which is now known as Sea of Marmara) Nicomedia, Chalcedon, Cius Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Events By Place Roman Empire Persuaded by Galerius, Diocletian launches the last major persecution of Christians Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings A shrine, from the Latin scrinium (‘box’ also used as a desk like the French bureau) was originally a container usually made of precious materials used Church of Saint George is the major Shrine for the fourth century Martyr Saint George ( El-Khader in Arabic and is located in Lod Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Christianity has used symbols from its very beginnings Each Saint has a story and a reason why he or she led an exemplary life Armour (or armor) is protective covering most commonly manufactured from metals to prevent damage from being inflicted to an individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact Mail (also maille, often given as chain mail or chain maille) is a type of Armour or jewellery that consists of small metal rings linked The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different Pole weapons based on the Spear. The dragon is a Legendary creature of which some interpretation or depiction appears in almost every culture worldwide In the West he is shown with St George's Cross emblazoned on his armor, or shield or banner. The St George's Cross (or the Cross of St George is a centred red cross on a white background A shield is a protective device meant to intercept attacks The term often refers to a device that is held in the hand as opposed to Armour or a Bullet proof vest A banner is a Flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol logo slogan or other message
Patronage	agricultural workers; Amersfoort, Netherlands; Aragon; archers; armourers; Beirut, Lebanon; Bulgaria; butchers; Cappadocia; Catalonia; cavalry; chivalry; Constantinople; Corinthians (Brazilian football team); Crusaders; England; equestrians; Ethiopia; farmers; Ferrara; field workers; Genoa; Georgia; Gozo; Greece; Haldern, Germany; Heide; herpes; horsemen; horses; husbandmen; knights; lepers and leprosy; Lithuania; Lod; Malta; Modica, Sicily; Moscow; Order of the Garter; Palestine; Palestinian Christians; Piran; plague; Portugal; Ptuj, Slovenia; Reggio Calabria; riders; saddle makers; Scouts; sheep; shepherds; skin diseases; soldiers; syphilis; Teutonic Knights[1]
Saints Portal

In Christian hagiography Saint George (ca. The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Aragon ( Spanish: "Aragón") is an autonomous community of Spain. Archery is the practice of using a bow or Crossbow to shoot Arrows Archery has historically been used in Hunting and Combat and has Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية The state of Bulgaria (България transliterated bg-Latn ''Balgaria'' The country preserves the traditions (in ethnic name language and alphabet of the First Bulgarian Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS Sport Club Corinthians Paulista is a Brazilian Sports club, based in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, most known for its football The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page Ferrara is a city in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Gozo ( Għawdex) is an Island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Herpes simplex is a Viral disease caused by Herpes simplex viruses both herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2 cause herpes simplex Leprosy (from the Greek lepi (λέπι meaning scales on a fish or Hansen's disease, is a chronic disease caused by the bacterium Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Modica ( Greek:, Latin: Mutyca or Motyca) is a city in the Province of Ragusa, Sicily. Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an Order of chivalry, or Knighthood, originating in Medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Piran ( Italian Pirano) is a Town and Municipality in southwestern Slovenia on the Adriatic coast along the Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Ptuj (Pettau Latin: Poetovio) is a City and one of 11 urban municipalities in Slovenia. Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia (Republika Slovenija) is a Country in southern Central Europe bordering Italy to the west Reggio di Calabria (Italian pronunciation /ˈrɛʤo ˌdikaˈlabrja/ Calabrian dialect: Rìggiu, Greek-Calabrian: Righi, Greek: Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide Youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical mental and spiritual The Teutonic Order is a German Roman Catholic religious order. Hagiography ( is the study of Saints. A hagiography, from Greek (hağios (ἅγιος "holy" or "saint" and graphē (γραφή 275-281 – April 23, 303^[2]) was a soldier in the Guard of Emperor Diocletian in the Roman Empire, venerated as a martyr. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Events By Place Roman Empire Persuaded by Galerius, Diocletian launches the last major persecution of Christians Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus ( ca. December 22 244 The modern historian Timothy Barnes takes December 22 as his birthdate The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom

Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Eastern Catholic Churches. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See He is immortalised in the tale of George and the Dragon and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The episode of Saint George and the Dragon appended to the Hagiography of Saint George was Eastern in origin brought back with the Crusaders and retold The "Fourteen Holy Helpers" are a group of Saints venerated together in Roman Catholicism because their Intercession was thought His memorial is celebrated on 23 April.

St. George is the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of Amersfoort, Beirut, Bteghrine, Cáceres, Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, Lod and Moscow, as well as a wide range of professions, organisations and disease sufferers. The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members Aragon ( Spanish: "Aragón") is an autonomous community of Spain. Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Amersfoort is a municipality and the second largest city of the province of Utrecht in central Netherlands. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Bteghrine ( بتغرين, also spelled Bteghrin and Btighrin) is a Municipality in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Cáceres is the capital of Cáceres Province in Extremadura, Spain (see map) Ferrara is a city in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English Ljubljana ( is the largest and Capital city of Slovenia. It is located in the center of the country and is a mid-sized city of some 270000 inhabitants Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of

Contents 1 Life and legend 1.1 The modern legend 2 Saint George and the dragon 3 Veneration as a martyr 4 Sources 5 Iconography 6 Later depictions and occurrences 7 Colours 8 Patronage and remembrance 8.1 Countries 8.1.1 Belgium 8.1.2 Brazil 8.1.3 Bulgaria 8.1.4 England 8.1.5 Georgia 8.1.6 Greece 8.1.7 India 8.1.8 Italy 8.1.9 Lebanon 8.1.10 Malta 8.1.11 Ossetia 8.1.12 Palestine 8.1.13 Serbia 8.1.14 Spain and Portugal 8.1.15 United States 8.2 Organisations 8.2.1 Freemasonry 8.2.2 Orders 8.2.3 Scouting 8.3 Others 9 Interfaith shrine 10 Etymology 11 Notes 12 See also 13 References 14 External links

Life and legend

Saint George is not commemorated in any early vita or acta that would have some merit as reflecting history and cannot be accounted a historical individual. ^[3] Chief among the late sources is the Golden Legend, which remains the most familiar version in English owing to William Caxton's 15th century translation. The Golden Legend (Legenda Aurea by Jacopo da Varagine is a collection of fanciful hagiographies or lives of the Saints that became a late medieval

The traditional legend offers a historicised narration of George's encounter with his dragon: see "St. A legend ( Latin, legenda, "things to be read" is a Narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to The dragon is a Legendary creature of which some interpretation or depiction appears in almost every culture worldwide George and the Dragon" below. The modern legend that follows is synthesized from early and late hagiographical sources, omitting the more fantastical episodes, to narrate a purely human military career in closer harmony with modern expectations of reality. Hagiography ( is the study of Saints. A hagiography, from Greek (hağios (ἅγιος "holy" or "saint" and graphē (γραφή

The modern legend

George was born to a Christian family during the late third century, some sources name his birthplace as Coventry, England, others put it in Cappadocia where his father, a Roman soldier, was from. Coventry ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in the County of West Midlands in England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Cappadocia (or Capadocia, Turkish Kapadokya, from Greek: Καππαδοκία / Kappadokía which in turn is from the Persian: British Library archival material supports that he was born somewhere in the Levant region, possibly in Ramleh and was of Arab-Christian aristocratic parentage. His mother was Jewish from Lydda, Iudaea (now Lod, Israel). Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in Kingdom of Judea redirects here For the 10th-6th century BCE kingdom see Kingdom of Judah Iudaea ( Hebrew: יהודה Standard Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. She returned to her native city as a widow along with her young son, where she provided him with an education. WIDOW is a full-length Album recorded by British rock band Ritual released in 1983

The youth followed his father's example by joining the army soon after coming of age. The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military Coming of age is a young person's transition from Adolescence to Adulthood The age at which this transition takes place varies in society as does the nature He proved to be a good soldier and consequently rose through the military ranks of the time. Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in Armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines By his late twenties he had gained the title of tribunus (Tribune) and then comes (Count), at which time George was stationed in Nicomedia as a member of the personal guard attached to Roman Emperor Diocletian. Tribune (from the Latin: tribunus; Byzantine Greek form τριβούνος) was a title shared by 2–3 elected magistracies in the A count is a Nobleman in European countries The word count comes from French comte, itself from Latin Nicomedia ( Greek: Νικομήδεια modern İzmit) was founded by Nicomedes I of Bithynia at the head of the Gulf of Astacus which opens The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus ( ca. December 22 244 The modern historian Timothy Barnes takes December 22 as his birthdate

In 303 Diocletian issued an edict authorizing the systematic persecution of Christians across the Empire. The emperor Galerius was supposedly responsible for this decision and would continue the persecution during his own reign (305–311). Caesar (plural Caesars Latin: Caesar (plural Caesares is a Title of imperial character Galerius Maximianus ( ca. 260&ndashlate April or early May 311 formally Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus was Roman Emperor from 305 to 311 Events By Place Roman Empire May 1 — Diocletian and Maximian, Emperors of Rome retire from office Events By Place Roman Empire May 5 — Galerius issues his Edict of Toleration ending Persecution of Christians George was ordered to participate in the persecution but instead confessed to being a Christian himself and criticized the imperial decision. An enraged Diocletian ordered his torture and execution. Torture, according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, is "any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental is intentionally Capital punishment, the death penalty or execution, is the Killing of a person by judicial process as Punishment.

After various tortures, including laceration on a wheel of swords, in which he was miraculously resuscitated three times, George was executed by decapitation before Nicomedia's city wall, on April 23, 303. Decapitation (from Latin, caput, capitis, meaning head or beheading, is the cutting off of the head of a person or animal Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Events By Place Roman Empire Persuaded by Galerius, Diocletian launches the last major persecution of Christians A witness of his suffering convinced Empress Alexandra and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to become Christians as well, and so they joined George in martyrdom. His body was returned to Lydda for burial, where Christians soon came to honour him as a martyr.

Saint George and the dragon

Main article: Saint George and the Dragon

The episode of St George and the Dragon was a legend,^[4] brought back with the Crusaders and retold with the courtly appurtenances belonging to the genre of Romance (Loomis; Whatley). The episode of Saint George and the Dragon appended to the Hagiography of Saint George was Eastern in origin brought back with the Crusaders and retold European dragons are Legendary creatures in Folklore and Mythology among the overlapping cultures of Europe. The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents As a Literary genre of High culture, romance or chivalric romance refers to a style of heroic Prose and verse Narrative The earliest known depiction of the mytheme is from early eleventh-century Cappadocia (Whatley), (in the iconography of the Eastern Orthodox Church, George had been depicted as a soldier since at least the seventh century); the earliest known surviving narrative text is an eleventh-century Georgian text (Whatley). In the study of Mythology, a mytheme is the essential kernel of a myth an irreducible unchanging element similar to a cultural Meme, one that is always found shared Cappadocia (or Capadocia, Turkish Kapadokya, from Greek: Καππαδοκία / Kappadokía which in turn is from the Persian: Iconography is the branch of Art history which studies the identification description and the interpretation of the content of images The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world A soldier is a general English term that refers to a member of a land component of National Armed forces.

In the fully-developed Western version, a dragon makes its nest at the spring that provides water for the city of "Silene" (perhaps modern Cyrene) in Libya or the city of Lydda, depending on the source. A spring is a point where Groundwater flows out of the ground and is thus where the Aquifer surface meets the ground surface Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in Consequently, the citizens have to dislodge the dragon from its nest for a time, in order to collect water. To do so, each day they offer the dragon at first a sheep,and if no sheep can be found,then a maiden must go instead of the sheep. The victim is chosen by drawing lots. One day, this happens to be the princess. Princess is the feminine form of Prince (from Latin Princeps, meaning principal citizen The monarch begs for her life with no result. She is offered to the dragon, but there appears the saint on his travels. He faces the dragon, protects himself with the sign of the cross,^[5] slays it and rescues the princess. The Sign of the Cross, or Signum crucis in Latin is a ritual hand motion made by members of many but not all branches of Christianity. The grateful citizens abandon their ancestral paganism and convert to Christianity. Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "country dweller rustic" is a word used to refer to various religions and religious beliefs from across the world

The dragon motif was first combined with the standardized Passio Georgii in Vincent of Beauvais' encyclopedic Speculum historale and then in Jacobus de Voragine, Golden Legend, which guaranteed its popularity in the later Middle Ages as a literary and pictorial subject (Whatley). The Dominican friar Vincent of Beauvais ( Vincentius Bellovacensis) (c Blessed Jacobus de Varagine or Voragine (Giacomo da Varazze Jacopo da Varazze (c The Golden Legend (Legenda Aurea by Jacopo da Varagine is a collection of fanciful hagiographies or lives of the Saints that became a late medieval

The parallels with Perseus and Andromeda are inescapable. Perseus, Perseos, or Perseas ( Greek: Περσεύς, Περσέως, Περσέας) the Legendary founder Andromeda was a woman from Greek mythology who as divine punishment for her mother's bragging was chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster In the allegorical reading, the dragon embodies a suppressed pagan cult. An allegory (from αλλος allos "other" and el αγορευειν agoreuein "to speak in public" is a figurative mode of representation This article discusses cult in the original and typically ancient sense of "religious practice" (cultus ^[6] The story has roots that predate Christianity. Examples such as Sabazios, the sky father, who was usually depicted riding on horseback, and Zeus's defeat of Typhon the Titan in Greek mythology, along with examples from Germanic and Vedic traditions, have led a number of historians, such as Loomis, to suggest that George is a Christianized version of older deities in Indo-European culture. Sabazios is the nomadic horseman and sky father god of the Phrygians and Thracians. The sky father is a recurring theme in Mythology. The sky father is the complement of the Earth mother and appears in some Creation myths many Zeus (zjuːs in Greek: nominative: Zeús /zdeús/ genitive: Diós; Modern Greek /'zefs/ in Greek mythology In Greek mythology, Typhon ( Ancient Greek:, Tuphōn) also Typheus / Typhoeus ( Tuphōeus) Typhaon ( In Greek mythology, the Titans ( Greek: Tītā́n; plural Tītânes) were a race of powerful Deities that ruled during the legendary Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their gods and Heroes the nature of the world and the origins and significance Germanic paganism refers to the religious beliefs of the Germanic peoples preceding Christianization. This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period see Hinduism and Indian religions for details The historical phenomenon of Christianization (or Christianisation &mdash see spelling differences) the conversion of individuals to Christianity

In the medieval romances, the lance with which St George slew the dragon was called Ascalon, named after the city of Ashkelon in Israel. Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן ٲشكلون also عسقلان; Latin: Ascalon; Akkadian: Isqalluna is a coastal city in southern For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. ^[7]

Veneration as a martyr

A church built in Lydda during the reign of Constantine I (reigned 306–337), was consecrated to "a man of the highest distinction", according to the church history of Eusebius of Caesarea; the name of the patron^[8] was not disclosed, but later he was asserted to have been George. Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus (27 February ca. 272 &ndash 22 May 337 commonly known as Constantine I, Constantine the Great, or Saint Constantine The church was destroyed in 1010 but was later rebuilt and dedicated to Saint George by the Crusaders. The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents In 1191 and during the conflict known as the Third Crusade (1189–1192), the church was again destroyed by the forces of Saladin, Sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty (reigned 1171–1193). The Third Crusade (1189&ndash1192 also known as the Kings' Crusade, was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin Salahadin Ayyubi ( Arabic:صلاح الدين يوسف بن أيوب Kurdish: سه‌لاحه‌دین ئه‌یوبی Selah'edînê Eyubî; c The Ayyubid or Ayyoubid Dynasty was a Muslim dynasty of Kurdish origins which ruled Egypt, Syria, Yemen (except for A new church was erected in 1872 and is still standing. Year 1872 ( MDCCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year

During the fourth century the veneration of George spread from Palestine through Lebanon to the rest of the Eastern Roman Empire -though the martyr is not mentioned in the Syriac Breviarium^[9]- and Georgia. A breviary (from Latin brevis, 'short' or 'concise' is a Liturgical book of the Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between In Georgia the feast day on November 23 is credited to St Nino of Cappadocia, who in Georgian hagiography is a relative of St George, credited with bringing Christianity to the Georgians in the fourth century. Saint Nino (წმინდა ნინო Αγία Νίνω (sometimes St Cappadocia (or Capadocia, Turkish Kapadokya, from Greek: Καππαδοκία / Kappadokía which in turn is from the Persian: By the fifth century the cult of Saint George had reached the Western Roman Empire as well: in 494, George was canonised as a saint by Pope Gelasius I, among those "whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to [God]. This article discusses cult in the original and typically ancient sense of "religious practice" (cultus The Western Roman Empire refers to the western half of the Roman Empire, from its division by Diocletian in 285 the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Events By Place Byzantine Empire An earthquake devastates Latakia. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity Pope "

In England the earliest dedication to George, who was mentioned among the martyrs by Bede, is a church at Fordington, Dorset, that is mentioned in the will of Alfred the Great. Bede (ˈbiːd (also Saint Bede, the Venerable Bede, or (from Latin Beda (beda (c Alfred the Great (also Ælfred from the Old English Ælfrēd ˈælfreːd (c "Saint George and his feast day began to gain more widespread fame among all Europeans, however, from the time of the Crusades. "^[10] An apparition of George heartened the Franks at the siege of Antioch, 1098, and made a similar appearance the following year at Jerusalem. For other uses please see Siege of Antioch (disambiguation The Siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 Chivalric military Order of St. George were established in Aragon (1201), Genoa, Hungary, and by Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, ^[11] and Edward III put his Order of the Garter under the banner of St. the "Order of Saint George" was also a Chivalric order founded by Charles I of Hungary in 1325. Aragon ( Spanish: "Aragón") is an autonomous community of Spain. The Most Serene Republic of Genoa (Repubblica di Genova was an independent state in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast from the 11th century Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Frederick III of Habsburg ( September 21 1415 &ndash August 19, 1493) was elected as German King as the successor of Edward III (13 November 1312 &ndash 21 June 1377 was one of the most successful English monarchs of the Middle Ages. The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an Order of chivalry, or Knighthood, originating in Medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients George. In England the Synod of Oxford, 1222 declared St. George's Day a feast day in the kingdom of England. The chronicler Froissart observed the English invoking St. Jean Froissart (c 1337 &ndash c 1405 was one of the most important of the Chroniclers of Medieval France. George as a battle cry on several occasions during the Hundred Years' War. The Hundred Years' War (Guerre de Cent Ans was a prolonged conflict lasting from 1337 to 1453 between two royal houses for the French throne vacant with the extinction of the senior In his rise as a national saint George was aided by the very fact that the saint had no legendary connection with England, and no specifically localised shrine, as of Thomas Becket at Canterbury: "Consequently, numerous shrines were established during the late fifteenth century," Muriel C. St Thomas Becket (c 1118 &ndash December 29, 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170 McClendon has written,^[12] "and his did not become closely identified with a particular occupation or with the cure of a specific malady. "

The establishment of George as a popular saint and protective giant^[13] in the West that had captured the medieval imagination was codified by the official elevation of his feast to a festum duplex^[14] at a church council in 1415, on the date that had become associated with his martyrdom, 23 April. There was wide latitude from community to community in celebration of the day across late medieval and early modern England,^[15] and no uniform "national" celebration elsewhere, a token of the popular and vernacular nature of George's cultus and its local horizons, supported by a local guild or confraternity under George's protection, or the dedication of a local church. A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade The earliest guilds were formed as confraternities of workers When the Reformation in England severely curtailed the saints' days in the calendar, St. George's Day was among the holidays that continued to be observed.

Sources

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the earliest text preserving fragments of George's narrative is in an Acta Sanctorum identified by Hippolyte Delehaye of the scholarly Bollandists to be a palimpsest of the fifth century. Acta Sanctorum ( Acts of the Saints ' is an encyclopedic text in 68 folio volumes of documents examining the lives of Christian saints in essence a critical Hippolyte Delehaye ( Antwerp August 19, 1859 – Brussels April 1, 1941 was a Belgian Jesuit The Bollandists are an association of scholars - originally all Jesuit, but now including non-Jesuits -- philologists and historians -- who since the early seventeenth century A palimpsest is a Manuscript page whether from scroll or Book that has been written on scraped off and used again The compiler of this Acta, according to Delehaye "confused the martyr with his namesake, the celebrated George of Cappadocia, the Arian intruder into the see of Alexandria and enemy of St. George of Laodicea, (b about the beginning of the 4th century often called the Cappadocian was from 356 to 361 Arian Archbishop of Alexandria Arianism is the theological teaching of Arius (c AD 250-336 who was ruled a heretic by the Christian church at the Council of Nicea. Athanasius". A critical edition of a Syriac Acta of Saint George, accompanied by an annoted English translation was published by E. W. Brooks (1863-1955) in 1925. The hagiography was originally written in Greek.

In Sweden, the princess rescued by Saint George is held to represent the kingdom of Sweden, while the dragon represents an invading army. Several sculptures of Saint George battling the dragon can be found in Stockholm, the earliest inside Storkyrkan ("The Great Church") in the Old Town.

The façade of architect Antoni Gaudi's famous Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain depicts this allegory. Casa Batlló ('kazə bəʎ'ʎo bəd'ʎo in Catalan) is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Maria Jujol, built in the year 1877 and remodelled Barcelona ( Catalan bəɾsəˈlonə Spanish baɾθeˈlona is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia

Iconography

St. George is most commonly depicted in early icons, mosaics and frescos wearing armour contemporary with the depiction, executed in gilding and silver colour, intended to identify him as a Roman soldier. An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Art History Mosaics of the 4th century BC are found in the Macedonian palace-city of Aegae, and they enriched the floors of Hellenistic Fresco (plural either frescos or frescoes) is any of several related Painting types done on Plaster on walls or The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military After the Fall of Constantinople and the association of St George with the crusades, he is more often portrayed mounted upon a white horse. The Fall of Constantinople refers to the capture of the Byzantine Empire's capital by the Ottoman Empire on Tuesday May 29, 1453 (Julian Calendar The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents

At the same time St George began to be associated with St. Demetrius, another early soldier saint. Saint Demetrius redirects here For another saint see Demetrius of Alexandria. The military saints (also called soldier saints) of the Early Christian Church enjoyed a vogue parallel to the virgin martyrs. When the two saints are portrayed together mounted upon horses, they may be likened to earthly manifestations of the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Michael (מִיכָאֵל Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; Μιχαήλ Mikhaíl; Michael or Míchaël; ميخائيل Mikhā'īl) is an Gabriel ( Latin: Gabrielus; Greek:, Gabriēl; Arabic: جبريل Jibrīl or جبرائيل St George is always depicted in Eastern traditions upon a white horse and St. Demetrius on a red horse^[16] St George can also be identified in the act of spearing a dragon, unlike St Demetrius, who is sometimes shown spearing a human figure, understood to represent Maximian. Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus Herculius (c 250 &ndash c

Later depictions and occurrences

During the early second millennium, George came to be seen as the model of chivalry, and during this time was depicted in works of literature, such as the medieval romances. Chivalric order Chivalry is a term related to the Medieval institution of Knighthood. Literature is the Art of written works Literally translated the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from Latin littera letter As a Literary genre of High culture, romance or chivalric romance refers to a style of heroic Prose and verse Narrative

Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, compiled the Legenda Sanctorum, (Readings of the Saints) also known as Legenda Aurea (the Golden Legend) for its worth among readers. Blessed Jacobus de Varagine or Voragine (Giacomo da Varazze Jacopo da Varazze (c In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English The Golden Legend (Legenda Aurea by Jacopo da Varagine is a collection of fanciful hagiographies or lives of the Saints that became a late medieval Its 177 chapters (182 in other editions) contain the story of Saint George.

Modern Russians interpret the icon not as a killing but as a struggle, against ourselves and the evil among us. The dragon never dies but the saint persists with his horse (will and support of the people) and his spear (technical means). This is a useful symbol for modern technocrats, especially in fields such as public health.

Colours

Main article: St George's Cross

The "Colours of Saint George", or St George's Cross) are a white flag with a red cross, frequently borne by entities over which he is patron (e. The St George's Cross (or the Cross of St George is a centred red cross on a white background The St George's Cross (or the Cross of St George is a centred red cross on a white background g. England, Georgia, Liguria, Catalonia etc). England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain.

The origin of the St George's Cross came from the earlier plain white tunics worn by the early crusaders.

The same colour scheme was used by Viktor Vasnetsov for the facade of the Tretyakov Gallery, in which some of the most famous St. Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (Виктор Михайлович Васнецов ( Lop'jal, May 15 ( N The State Tretyakov Gallery (Государственная Третьяковская Галерея ГТГ in Moscow, Russia, is the foremost depository George icons are exhibited and which displays St. George as the coat of arms of Moscow over its entrance.

Patronage and remembrance

Prior to the revision of the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, the feast of “St George, Martyr” was celebrated as a Semi-Double feast (see General Roman Calendar as in 1954), and later as a Commemoration (see General Roman Calendar of 1962). For earlier forms of the General Roman Calendar see the Tridentine Calendar, the General Roman Calendar as in 1954, General Roman Calendar of Pope Pius Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Pope The following is a list of the feast days of the General Roman Calendar as it was in 1954. This article lists the feast days of the General Roman Calendar as it was in 1962 following the reforms of Pope John XXIII introduced with his Motu proprio ''Rubricarum Since 1969, his feast was downgraded to an optional memorial; the solemnity of his commemoration depending largely upon local observance. However, Traditional Roman Catholics continue to commemorate the feast day of "Saint George, Martyr", on April 23, either as a Semi-Double feast or Commemoration. Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics, or people who identify as Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at The following is a list of the feast days of the General Roman Calendar as it was in 1954.

St George is very much honored by the Eastern Orthodox Church, wherein he is referred to as a "Great Martyr", and in Oriental Orthodoxy overall. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the His major feast day is on April 23 (for those churches which follow the traditional Julian Calendar, April 23 currently falls on May 6 of the modern Gregorian Calendar). The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at The Julian calendar, a reform of the Roman calendar, was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC and came into force in 45 BC (709 Ab urbe condita Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used Calendar in the world today The Russian Orthodox Church also celebrates two additional feasts in honour of St. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure George: one on November 3 (November 16) commemorating the consecration of a cathedral dedicated to him in Lydda during the reign Constantine the Great (305-337). Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service usually religious This article is about the history and organisation of the cathedral Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus (27 February ca. 272 &ndash 22 May 337 commonly known as Constantine I, Constantine the Great, or Saint Constantine When the church was consecrated, the relics of the St. A relic is an object or a personal item of religious significance carefully preserved with an air of Veneration as a tangible memorial George were transferred there. The other feast on November 26 (December 9) for a church dedicated to him in Kiev, ca. Kiev, also known as Kyiv ( Ukrainian:, Kyiv, ˈkɪjiw Russian:, Kiyev; see also Cities' alternative names) is the 1054.

Countries

Belgium

In Mons (Belgium),^[17] Saint Georges is honoured each year at the Trinity Sunday. Mons ( Dutch: Bergen, Picard: Mont) is a Walloon City and municipality located in the Belgian In the heart of the city, a reconstitution (known as the “Combat dit Lumeçon”) of the fight between Saint Georges and the dragon is played by 46 actors. ^[18] According to the tradition, the inhabitants of Mons try to get a piece of the dragon during the fight. This will bring luck for one year to the ones succeeding in this challenge. This event is part of the annual Ducasse and is attended by thousands of people.

Brazil

In the religious traditions of the Afro-Brazilian Candomblé and Umbanda, Ogum (as this Yoruba divinity is known in the Portuguese language) is often identified with Saint George in many regions of the country, being widely celebrated by both religions' followers. Afro-Brazilian, or Black Brazilian, is the term used to racially categorize Brazilian citizens who are black or Multiracial Candomblé (pronounced /kɐ̃dõˈblɛ/is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion practiced chiefly in Brazil. Basic beliefs and practices The Umbanda creeds and practices are an eclectic mixture from three main sources from Catholicism Umbanda adopted the ideas of For the Togolese prefecture see Ogou Togo. In Haitian Vodou and Yoruba mythology, Ogun (or Ogoun Portuguese ( or língua portuguesa) is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia (Spain and northern Portugal. Popular devotion to Saint George is very strong in Rio de Janeiro, where the saint vies in popularity with the city's official patron Saint Sebastian, both saints' feast days being local holidays. Rio de Janeiro ("River of January" ˈhiw dʒi ʒʌˈnejɾu in Brazilian Portuguese, /ˈriːoʊ di ʒəˈnɛroʊ/ in English is the second largest city of Brazil Saint Sebastian (traditionally died January 20, 287 was a Christian Saint and Martyr, who is said to have been killed while the Roman emperor
Saint George is also the patron saint of the São Paulo club Corinthians, the stadium of the club is also known as Parque São Jorge (Saint George's Park, in portuguese). ( is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy Sport Club Corinthians Paulista is a Brazilian Sports club, based in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, most known for its football The Estádio Alfredo Schürig most commonly known as Estádio Parque São Jorge, or Fazendinha, is a football stadium inaugurated on July 22

Bulgaria

St. George is praised by the Bulgarians as "liberator of captives, and defender of the poor, physician of the sick". For centuries he has been considered by the Bulgarians as their protector. Possibly the most celebrated name day in the country, St George's Day (Гергьовден, Gergyovden) is a public holiday that takes place on 6 May every year. A common ritual is to prepare and eat a whole lamb. St. George is the patron saint of farmers and shepherds.

St. George's Day is also the Day of the Bulgarian Army (made official with a decree of Knyaz Alexander of Bulgaria on 9 January 1880) and parades are organised in the capital Sofia to present the best of the army's equipment and manpower.

England

Traces of the cult of St George predate the Norman Conquest, in ninth-century liturgy used at Durham Cathedral, in a tenth-century Anglo-Saxon martyrology, and in dedications to Saint George at Fordingham, Dorset, at Thetford, Southwark and Doncaster. The Cathedral Church of Christ Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, commonly referred to as Durham Cathedral, in the city of Durham, England Thetford is a Market town and Civil parish in the Breckland area of Norfolk, England. Southwark or The Borough is an area of south-east London in the London Borough of Southwark, situated 1 Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire, England and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. He received further impetus when the crusaders returned from the Holy Land in the 12th century. King Edward III of England (reigned 1327 – 1377) was known for promoting the codes of knighthood and in 1348 founded the Order of the Garter. Edward III (13 November 1312 &ndash 21 June 1377 was one of the most successful English monarchs of the Middle Ages. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an Order of chivalry, or Knighthood, originating in Medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients During his reign, George came to be recognised as the patron saint of the English monarchy; prior to this, Saint Edmund had been considered the patron saint of England, although his veneration had waned since the time of the Norman conquest, and his cult was partly eclipsed by that of Edward the Confessor. The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members For the 13th century Archbishop see St Edmund of Abingdon. Edmund the Martyr (841&ndash 20 November 869) was a King Edward the Confessor (c 1003 &ndash 5 January 1066 son of Ethelred the Unready, was the penultimate Anglo-Saxon King of England and the last Edward dedicated the chapel at Windsor Castle to the soldier saint who represented the knightly values of chivalry which he so much admired, and the Garter ceremony takes place there every year. Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, is the largest inhabited Castle in the world and dating back to the time of Chivalric order Chivalry is a term related to the Medieval institution of Knighthood. In the 16th Century, William Shakespeare firmly placed St George within the national conscience in his play Henry V in which the English troops are rallied with the cry “God for Harry, England and St George,” and Edmund Spenser included St. William Shakespeare ( baptised Edmund Spenser (c 1552 &ndash 13 January, 1599) was an important English Poet and Poet Laureate best known for The George (Redcross Knight) as a central figure in his epic poem The Faerie Queen. The Faerie Queene is an English epic poem by Edmund Spenser, published first in three books in 1590 and later in six books in 1596

In 1963, in the Roman Catholic Church, St George was demoted to a third class minor saint and removed him from the Universal Calendar, with the proviso that he could be honoured in local calendars. Pope John Paul II, in 2000, restored St George to the Calendar, and he appears in Missals as the English Patron Saint. Pope A missal is a Liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year

With the revival of Scottish and Welsh nationalism, there has been renewed interest within England in Saint George, whose memory had been in abeyance for many years. This is most evident in the St George's flags which now have replaced Union Flags in stadiums where English sports teams compete. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, St George’s Day is now celebrated each year in the City of London with a tax payer funded day of celebration run by the Greater London Authority and the London Mayor. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. However, the City of Salisbury does hold an annual St George’s Day pageant, the origins of which are believed to go back to the thirteenth century. Salisbury (ˈsɒlzbri ˈsɔːlzbri ('Solzbry' or ˈzɔːwzbri ('Zawzbry' — moving from RP to local dialect) is a cathedral city in the [1][2] [3][4] [5][6] [7]

Georgia

Saint George is a patron saint of Georgia. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between According to Georgian author Enriko Gabisashvili, Saint George is most venerated in the nation of Georgia. The Georgians (ქართველები kartvelebi) are a Nation and Ethnic group originating in the Caucasus, the oldest group of the An 18th century Georgian geographer and historian Vakhushti Bagrationi wrote that there are 365 Orthodox churches in Georgia named after Saint George according to the number of days in one year. Vakhushti (ვახუშტი (1696-1757 was a Georgian prince ( Batonishvili) geographer historian and cartographer ^[19] There are indeed many churches in Georgia named after the Saint and Alaverdi Monastery is one of the largest. Earliest structures of Alaverdi ( Geo ალავერდი monastery date back to 6th century

The Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates St. George's day twice a year, on May 6 (O. C. April 23) and November 23. The feast day in November was instituted by St Nino of Cappadocia, who was credited with bringing Christianity to the land of Georgia in the fourth century. Saint Nino (წმინდა ნინო Αγία Νίνω (sometimes St Cappadocia (or Capadocia, Turkish Kapadokya, from Greek: Καππαδοκία / Kappadokía which in turn is from the Persian: She was from Cappadocia, like Saint George, and was his relative. This feast day is unique to Georgia and it is the day of St George's martyrdom. The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom

There are also many folk traditions in Georgia that vary from Georgian Orthodox Church rules, because they portray the Saint differently than the Church does and show the veneration of Saint George in common people of Georgia. See also Folk (disambiguation, Volk (disambiguation Folk is one of the Germanic roots that mean "(of the people" or "our Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle Different regions of Georgia have different traditions and in most folk tales Saint George is venerated very highly, almost as much as Jesus Christ himself. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) In the province of Kakheti province, there is an icon of St George known as "White George". Kakheti ( Georgian: კახეთი is a province in Eastern Georgia. This image of White George is also seen on the current Coat of Arms of Georgia. The region of Pshavi have icons of known as the Cuppola St. George and Lashari St. George. The Khevsureti region has "Kakhmati", "Gudani", and "Sanebi" icons dedicated to the Saint. Khevsureti is a historic province in eastern Georgia, located along both the northern and southern slopes of the Great Caucasus Mountains. The Pshavs and Khevsurs, during the Middle Ages used to refer to Saint George almost as much as praying to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. This ecumenical article is about general Christian views on and veneration of the Virgin Mary Another notable icon is known as the "Lomisi Saint George" which can be found in the Mtiuleti and Khevi provinces of Georgia. Mtiuleti (მთიულეთი literally "the land of mountains" is a historical province in Eastern Georgia, on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Khevi (ხევი is a small historical-geographic area in northeastern Georgia. ^[19]

An example of folk tale about St. George: Once the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophet Elias and Saint George were going through Georgia. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Elijah or Elias ( was a Prophet in Israel in the 9th century BC When they became tired and hungry they stopped to dine. They saw a Georgian shepherd man and decided to ask him to feed them. First, Elias went up to the shepherd and asked him for a sheep. After the shepherd asked his identity Elias said that, he was the one who sent him rain to get him a good profit from farming. The shepherd became angry at him and told him that he was the one who also sent thunderstorms, which destroyed the farms of poor widows.

After Elias, Jesus Christ himself went up to the shepherd and asked him for a sheep and told him that he was God, the creator of everything. The shepherd became angry at Jesus and told him that he is the one who takes the souls away of young men and grants long lives to many dishonest people.

After Elias and Christ's unsuccessful attempts, St George went up to the shepherd, asked him for a sheep and told him that he is Saint George who the shepherd calls upon every time when he has troubles and St. George protect him from all the evil and saves him from troubles. After hearing St George, the shepherd fell down on his knees and adored him and gave him everything. This folk tale shows the veneration of St George in the Middle Ages provinces of Georgia and similar tales are told in the northern mountainous parts of the country. ^[19]

Some interesting tales come from Georgian sources, some of which are also attested to by Persian ones, that the Georgian Army during many battles were led by a knight on the white horse who came down from the Heaven. The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia Catholicos Besarion of Georgia also testified this fact.

Greece

In Greece, as St George is a Greek Roman he is the patron saint of the Hellenic Army. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία His image adorns all regimental battle flags (Colours), and military parades are held in his honour on 23 April every year in most army garrison towns and cities.

India

There are numerous churches dedicated to Saint George in India (especially in Kerala) practising Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See There are also countless shrines to St. George in Kerala, India.

Italy

In Italy, Saint George is one of the Patron Saints of Genoa, as well as the patron saint of Ferrara and Reggio Calabria. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English Ferrara is a city in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. Reggio di Calabria (Italian pronunciation /ˈrɛʤo ˌdikaˈlabrja/ Calabrian dialect: Rìggiu, Greek-Calabrian: Righi, Greek: The historical bank that was the backbone of the Republic of Genoa, "Repubblica Marinara di Genova", was dedicated to St George, "Banco di San Giorgio". The Most Serene Republic of Genoa (Repubblica di Genova was an independent state in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast from the 11th century The power of the Repubblica passing from commerce to banking, Genoa lent money to all the European countries and sovereigns, so the power of the "Repubblica" was identified with its patron saint.

Throughout the province of Ferrara the cult of Saint George is remarkable for a medieval belief that the dragon Saint George defeated inhabited the Po. Actually the dragon has to be considered as a metaphor for the fear of Po river frequent floods that threatened to completely destroy Ferrara and the small hamlets next to it. The former cathedral and the newer 12th century basilique cathedral of the city (Ferrara Cathedral) are both dedicated to the legendary Saint. Ferrara Cathedral (Italian Basilica Cattedrale di San Giorgio) is a basilica in Ferrara, northern Italy, the largest religious edifice in the city

Lebanon

Saint George is the patron saint of Beirut, Lebanon. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية ^[20] Many bays around Lebanon are named after Saint George, particularly the Saint George Bay in Beirut.

The Saint George Bay in Beirut is believed to be the place where the dragon lived and where it was slain. The Saint George Bay (known in Lebanon as Golfe de Saint-Georges) is located on the northern coast of the city of Beirut in Lebanon ^[21] In Lebanon, Saint George is believed to have cleaned off his spear at a massive rocky cave running into the hillside and overlooking the beautiful Jounieh Bay. Jounieh ( Arabic جونيه or Junia, جونية is a Mediterranean coastal city about 15 kilometers north of Beirut, Lebanon Others argue it is at the Bay of Tabarja. Tabarja is a coastal town in Lebanon, situated 28 kilometers north of Beirut. The waters of both caves are believed to have miraculous powers for healing ailing children. ^[22]

An ancient gilded icon of St. George at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Beirut has been a major attraction for believers: Greek Orthodox, Copts, Catholics, Maronites and some Muslims, for many centuries. ^[23] Many churches are named in honor of the saint in Lebanon:

• The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George, Centre Ville, Beirut, Lebanon
• The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George, Souk El Gharb, Lebanon
• The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George, Tripoli, Lebanon
• The Greek Catholic Church of Saint Georges of Bmakine, Souk El Gharb, Lebanon
• The Maronite Catholic Cathedral of Saint George, Centre Ville, Beirut, Lebanon
• The Maronite Catholic Cathedral of Saint George, Ehden, Lebanon
• Holy Monastery of Saint George, Deir El Harf, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Ain Bourdai, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Baabdat, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Barsaa, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Beit Mery, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Bteghrine, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Edde, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Faitroun, Keserwan District, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Kfeir, Mount Hermon, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Khonchara, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Nahr Barada, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Qaitouli, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Qlaia, South Lebanon, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Rmaich, South Lebanon, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Sarba, South Lebanon, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Sarine, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
• Saint Georges of Zouk Mikael, Keserwan District, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
• Triple Church of St. The Greek Orthodox Church ( Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία Hellēnorthódoxē Ekklēsía) is formed by several autocephalous churches The Beirut Central District ( BCD) popularly known as Centre Ville, is the name given to Beirut ’s historical and geographical core, the “vibrant Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية The Greek Orthodox Church ( Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία Hellēnorthódoxē Ekklēsía) is formed by several autocephalous churches Souk El Gharb (also spelled Suk, Sug al, ul Suq is a village in the Mount Lebanon Governorate Aley District, in the country of Lebanon. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية The Greek Orthodox Church ( Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία Hellēnorthódoxē Ekklēsía) is formed by several autocephalous churches Tripoli ( Lebanese Arabic: طرابلس Ṭrāblos or Ṭrēblos locally Ṭrōbles Standard Arabic: Ṭarābulus Τρίπολις Tripolis is the second-largest Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Meaning of church name Melkite comes from the Syriac word malko for "imperial" which was originally a Pejorative term for Middle-Eastern Souk El Gharb (also spelled Suk, Sug al, ul Suq is a village in the Mount Lebanon Governorate Aley District, in the country of Lebanon. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Maronites ( الموارنة,, Syriac: ܡܪܘܢܝܐ, Latin: Ecclesia Maronitarum) are members of one of the Syriac The Beirut Central District ( BCD) popularly known as Centre Ville, is the name given to Beirut ’s historical and geographical core, the “vibrant Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Maronites ( الموارنة,, Syriac: ܡܪܘܢܝܐ, Latin: Ecclesia Maronitarum) are members of one of the Syriac Ehden (اٍهدن in Arabic) is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Baabdat (also spelled Baabdath, Arabic: بعبدات is a town located in the Matn District of Mount Lebanon, 22 km from Beirut Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Overlooking the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, the town of Beit Mery has been a summer mountain resort since the times of the Romans. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Bteghrine ( بتغرين, also spelled Bteghrin and Btighrin) is a Municipality in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Edde Village is located 45 km North of Beirut Lebanon. Turn right just beyond Byblos to reach the village of Edde Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Faitroun (also spelled Faytroun is a picturesque town in the Keserwan District of Mount Lebanon. Keserwan (Qadaa' Keserwèn ( Arabic قضاء كسروان) is a district ( Qadaa) in the Mount Lebanon Governorate ( Arabic Mount Lebanon ( Arabic: جبل لبنان as a geographic designation is the Lebanese mountain range known as the Western Mountain Range of Lebanon Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Kfeir is a small village nestled 900 Meters above Sea level along the steep slopes of Mount Hermon in Lebanon. Mount Hermon ( הר חרמון Har Hermon, جبل الشيخجبل حرمون Jabal el-Shaiykh, Jabal Haramon Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية South Lebanon redirects here For other uses see South Lebanon (disambiguation. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Rmeich ( Arabic: رميش is a Lebanese village located in the Caza of Bint Jbeil in the Nabatiye Governorate in Lebanon South Lebanon redirects here For other uses see South Lebanon (disambiguation. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية South Lebanon redirects here For other uses see South Lebanon (disambiguation. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Sarine (also spelled Sareen is an agricultural village in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon Beqaa ( Arabic: البقاع "valley" also transliterated as Bekaa, Biqâ‘ or Becaa) is a fertile Valley in Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Zouk Mikael ( Arabic زوق مكايل is a town in the Keserwan District of Mount Lebanon. Keserwan (Qadaa' Keserwèn ( Arabic قضاء كسروان) is a district ( Qadaa) in the Mount Lebanon Governorate ( Arabic Mount Lebanon ( Arabic: جبل لبنان as a geographic designation is the Lebanese mountain range known as the Western Mountain Range of Lebanon Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية George, Tabarja, Lebanon
• Church of Saint George, Brummana, Lebanon

Malta

Saint George is also one of the patron saints of the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Gozo ( Għawdex) is an Island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European In a battle between the Maltese and the Moors, Saint George was alleged to have been seen with Saint Paul and Saint Agata, protecting the Maltese. Two parishes are dedicated to Saint George in Malta and Gozo, the Parish of Qormi, Malta and the Parish of Victoria, Gozo. Besides being the patron of Victoria where a splendid basilica is dedicated to him, St George is the protector of the island Gozo. He is also the patron saint of the village of Qormi. Qormi or Città Pinto (Ħal Qormi ħal ʔormiis a city in Malta with a population of 16576 (as of November 2005 which makes it the third largest Many churches in the Maltese Islands, have also altars dedicated to this saint.

The George Cross was awarded to the entire island of Malta for their courage and endurance during World War II. The George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta by King George VI of the United Kingdom in a letter dated 15 April 1942 to the island's Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including In a letter dated 15 April 1942, King George VI, stated: "To honour her brave people, I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. " Since that time, the George Cross has appeared on the Flag of Malta.

Ossetia

St. George is identified with the Nart Uastyrdzhi in Ossetian tradition and as such the main patron of North Ossetia. Nart Podlaskie VoivodeshipThe Nart sagas are a series of tales originating from the North Caucasus. Uastyrdzhi ( Ossetian: Уастырджи also transliterated Wastyrdzhi, Wasterzhi; Digor Uaskergi. The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (Респу́блика Се́верная Осе́тия–Ала́ния Ossetic: Республикӕ Цӕгат Ирыстон — Алани

Palestine

Saint George is the patron saint of the Palestinian Christians, who believe he lived in the areas around Bethlehem in his childhood. The Palestinian Christians are Palestinians who follow Christianity. Christian Houses can be identified with a stone-engraved picture of the saint (known as Mar Jiries) in front of their homes for his protection. In one hotel in Bethlehem, Saint George appears over the lift, as well as many other places throughout the structure.

In the town of Beit Jala, just west of Bethlehem stands a statue of Saint George carved of stone depicting the saint on his horse while fighting the dragon. Beit Jala ( Arabic: (lit Aramaic 'grass carpet' is a Arab Christian town in the Bethlehem Governorate of the West Bank. Bethlehem ( بيت لحم,, lit "House of Meat" Βηθλεέμ Bethleém בית לחם Beit Lehem, lit "House of Bread" is a The statue stands in the town's main square.

There is also a mid-sized town just west of Bethlehem named al-Khader in his honour.

Serbia

Main article: Đurđevdan

"Đurđevdan" (Serbian: Ђурђевдан - George's day) is a Serbian religious holiday, celebrated on April 23 by the Julian calendar (May 6 by Gregorian calendar), which is the feast of Saint George and a very important Slava. Stefan Nemanja ( Old Church Slavonic: Стѣфань Serbian: Стефан Serbian (sr-Cyrl српски језик sr-Latn ''srpski jezik'' is a South Slavic language, The Serbian Orthodox Church ( Serbian: Српска Православна Црква / Srpska Pravoslavna Crkva; СПЦ / SPC) or the Lists of holidays The words holiday or vacation have related meanings in different English-speaking countries and continents but will usually refer to one of Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at The Julian calendar, a reform of the Roman calendar, was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC and came into force in 45 BC (709 Ab urbe condita Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used Calendar in the world today Slava ( Cyrillic: Слава is the Orthodox Christian custom of honoring a family Patron saint. He is one of the most important Christian saints in Orthodox churches. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about This holiday is attached to the tradition of celebrating the beginning of spring. Christian synaxaria hold that St. George was a martyr who died for his faith. Synaxarium, Synaxarion, Synexarium, Synexarion, pl Synaxaria ( Greek: Συναξάριον, from συναγειν In Christian hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Anglican Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox On icons, he is usually depicted as a man riding a horse and killing a dragon. An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. The dragon is a Legendary creature of which some interpretation or depiction appears in almost every culture worldwide Đurđevdan is celebrated all over the Serbian diaspora but mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and the Republika Srpska. There are currently 45 to 55 million Serbs in Diaspora throughout the world (those that are not constitutional peoples like in Serbia, Montenegro and Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country Montenegro ( British English) Montenegrin / Serbian: PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE LANGUAGES WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE! Republika Srpska ( Serbian: Република Српска Republika Srpska ( often abbreviated PC or RS) also Српска Srpska In the Serbian Language St. Serbian (sr-Cyrl српски језик sr-Latn ''srpski jezik'' is a South Slavic language, George is called Sveti Đorđe (Serbian Cyrillic: Свети Ђорђе). Serbian (sr-Cyrl српски језик sr-Latn ''srpski jezik'' is a South Slavic language,

Spain and Portugal

On the Iberian peninsula, Saint George also came to be considered as the patron saint of the medieval Crown of Aragon, the territory of four current autonomous communities of Spain: Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands. The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, and includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra The Crown of Aragon was a permanent union of multiple titles and states in the hands of the King of Aragon. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. Aragon ( Spanish: "Aragón") is an autonomous community of Spain. Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. The Valencian Community ( Valencian and official Comunitat Valenciana; Comunidad Valenciana is an Autonomous community located in central to The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean Nowadays Saint George is the saint patron of both Aragon and Catalonia, as well as the saint patron of historically important Spanish towns such as Cáceres or Alcoy (Spanish language: San Jorge, Catalan language: Sant Jordi, Aragonese language: Sant Chorche) and of Portugal (Portuguese language: São Jorge). Alcoy may stand for Alcoy ( Alcoi in Valencian a municipality in the province of Alicante Spain Alcoy, province of Cebu Philippines Catalan ˈkætəˌlæn ( català kətəˈla or) is a Romance language, the national and official language of Andorra, and a co-official Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Portuguese ( or língua portuguesa) is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia (Spain and northern Portugal. Already connected in accepting George as their patron saint, in 1386 England and Portugal agreed to an Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance between England ( succeeded by the United Kingdom) and Portugal is the oldest alliance in the world which Today this treaty between the United Kingdom and Portugal is still in force. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

His feast date, April 23, is one of the most important holidays in Catalonia, where it is traditional to give a present to the loved one; red roses for women and books for men. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. In Aragon it is a public holiday, celebrated as the 'Day of Aragon'. Aragon ( Spanish: "Aragón") is an autonomous community of Spain. Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mix of religious ( Roman Catholic) national and regional observances It is also a public holiday in Castile and Leon, where the day commemorates the defeat at the Revolt of the Comuneros. Castile and León (Castilla y León known formally as the Community of Castile and León is one of the seventeen autonomous communities of Spain.

The anniversary of the deaths, in 1616, of Cervantes and Shakespeare, has led UNESCO to declare April 23 World Book and Copyright Day. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra ( in modern Spanish; September 29, 1547 &ndash April 22, 1616) was a Spanish Novelist William Shakespeare ( baptised United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 World Book and Copyright Day (also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Days) is a yearly event on 23 April, organized by UNESCO

United States

The United States Armor Association ("a non-profit organization with over 6,000 members dedicated to disseminating knowledge of the military art and sciences, with special attention to mobility in ground warfare"^[24]) "recognizes its finest tankers and cavalrymen" with a bronze medal of the Order of St. George. ^[25]. St George is also known to be the patron saint of the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts of America ( BSA) is the largest youth organization in the United States with over five million ^[26] Point Saint George in Del Norte County, California is also named after him.

Organisations

Freemasonry

The Freemasons consider St. George one of their primary patron saints. The United Grand Lodge of England holds its annual festival on a day as near as possible to St. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE is the main governing body of Freemasonry within England and Wales and in some countries predominantly ex- George's Day, and St. George is depicted on the ceiling of the Grand Lodge Temple on Great Queen Street, London. A number of Masonic lodges around the world bear the name of St. George.

Orders

Saint George is a patron saint of the Teutonic Knights. The Teutonic Order is a German Roman Catholic religious order. There are several orders that call themselves Knights of St. George.

Scouting

St George's Day is also celebrated with parades in those countries of which he is the patron saint. Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. St George's Day is celebrated by several nations kingdoms countries and cities of which Saint George is the Patron saint, including England, the Also, St George is the patron saint of Scouting. Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide Youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical mental and spiritual On St George's day (or the closest Sunday), Scouts in some countries choose to take part in a parades and some kind of church service in which they renew their Scout Promise. Scouts' Day is a generic term for special days observed by members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement throughout the year Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908 all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout (or Guide promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement The scouting award for Episcopalian adults is the St. George medal.

Others

He is also the patron saint of skin disease sufferers and syphilitic people. Syphilis is a Sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochetal Bacterium Treponema pallidum pallidum. [8] In Colombia there is a school called Gimnasio Campestre which honors St. Colombia (kəˈlʌmbɪə officially the Republic of Colombia () is a country in northwestern South America. The Gimnasio Campestre is an all-male traditional and conservative Pre-K to 11th grade Private school located in Bogotá, Colombia George and where they recite his hymn every Friday. In Santiago, Chile, there is a school called Saint George's College, part of the congregation Holy Cross. In the Norwegian military, Saint George is also the patron of the Cavalry. The St George Rugby League Club[9] is a participate in the Australian National Rugby League competition. Based at Kogarah in Sydney NSW the club commenced playing in the Sydney competition in 1921.

Interfaith shrine

There is a tradition in the Holy Land of Christians and Muslim going to an Eastern Orthodox shrine for St. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world George at Beith Jala, Jews also attending the site in the belief that the prophet Elijah was buried there. Beit Jala ( Arabic: (lit Aramaic 'grass carpet' is a Arab Christian town in the Bethlehem Governorate of the West Bank. Elijah or Elias ( was a Prophet in Israel in the 9th century BC This is testified to by Elizabeth Finn in 1866, where she wrote, “St. Elizabeth Finn (1825-1921 was a writer and "the strong-willed and intelligent" wife of James Finn, British Consul in Jerusalem, in George killed the dragon in this country Palestine; and the place is shown close to Beyrut. Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Many churches and convents are named after him. The church at Lydda is dedicated to St. George: so is a convent near Bethlehem, and another small one just opposite the Jaffa gate; and others beside. The Arabs believe that St. George can restore mad people to their senses; and to say a person has been sent to St. George’s, is equivalent to saying he has been sent to a madhouse. It is singular that the Moslem Arabs share this veneration for St. George, and send their mad people to be cured by him, as well as the Christians. But they commonly call him El Khudder —The Green—according to their favorite manner of using epithets instead of names. Why he should be called green, however, I cannot tell—unless it is from the colour of his horse. Gray horses are called green in Arabic. ” ^[27] A possible explanation for this colour reference is Al Khidr, the erstwhile tutor of Moses, gained his name from having sat in a barren desert, turning it into a lush green paradise. See above for the association of Al Khidder and St George.

William Dalrymple reviewing the literature in 1999 tells us that J. William Dalrymple (born 20 March 1965 in Scotland) is a historian and writer E. Hanauer in his 1907 book Folklore of the Holy Land: Muslim, Christian and Jewish "mentioned a shrine in the village of Beit Jala, beside Bethlehem, which at the time was frequented by all three of Palestine’s religious communities. Christians regarded it as the birthplace of St. George, Jews as the burial place of the Prophet Elias, Muslims as the home of the legendary saint of fertility known simply as Khidr, Arabic for green. Al-Khidr (الخضر "the Green One" also transcribed Khidr Khidar Khizr Khizar; or most accurately Ĥiḍr) has a disputed status amongst scholars According to Hanauer, in his day the monastery was “a sort of madhouse. Deranged persons of all the three faiths are taken thither and chained in the court of the chapel, where they are kept for forty days on bread and water, the Eastern Orthodox priest at the head of the establishment now and then reading the Gospel over them, or administering a whipping as the case demands. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world ’^[28] In the 1920’s according to Taufiq Canaan’s Mohammedan Saints and Sanctuaries in Palestine, nothing seemed to have changed, and all three communities were still visiting the shrine and praying together. Tawfiq Canaan (24 September 1882 – 15 January 1964 was a Physician and pioneer in the field of Medicine in Palestine, also well-known for being one of "^[29]

Dalrymple himself visited the place in 1995 "I asked around in the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem, and discovered that the pace was very much alive. With all the greatest shrines in the Christian world to choose from, it seemed that when the local Arab Christians had a problem – an illness, or something more complicated: a husband detained in an Israeli prison camp, for example – they preferred to seek the intercession of St George in his grubby little shrine at Beit Jala rather than praying at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem or the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. "^[29] He asked the priest at the shrine "Do you get many Muslims coming here?" The priest replied, "We get hundreds! Almost as many as the Christian pilgrims. Often, when I come in here, I find Muslims all over the floor, in the aisles, up and down. "^[29][30][31]

The Encyclopædia Britannica quotes G. A. Smith in his Historic Geography of the Holy Land p. 164 saying “The Mahommedans who usually identify St. George with the prophet Elijah, at Lydda confound his legend with one about Christ himself. Their name for Antichrist is Dajjal, and they have a tradition that Jesus will slay Antichrist by the gate of Lydda. The notion sprang from an ancient bas-relief of George and the Dragon on the Lydda church. A bas-relief (baʁəljɛf in French; French for "low relief" derived from the Italian basso rilievo) or low relief is a Sculpture But Dajjal may be derived, by a very common confusion between n and l, from Dagon, whose name two neighboring villages bear to this day, while one of the gates of Lydda used to be called the Gate of Dagon. ”^[32]

Etymology

The name George comes from Greek Georgios "husbandman, farmer," from ge "earth" + ergon "work".

Notes

See also

• Khidr
• Frithjof Schuon
• Georgslied, 9th-century Old High German poem about the life of Saint George
• Knights of St. George
• Bristol, England, which has a district christened Saint George and also a park bearing that name
• St. George's Day
• Diada de Sant Jordi
• Paladin
• Dragon Hill, Uffington
• St George's Church, churches dedicated to St. Al-Khidr (الخضر "the Green One" also transcribed Khidr Khidar Khizr Khizar; or most accurately Ĥiḍr) has a disputed status amongst scholars Frithjof Schuon, ( June 18, 1907 &ndash May 5, 1998) was a German philosopher metaphysician and author of numerous books on religion and spirituality The Georgslied ( Song of St George; composed towards the end of the 9th century; written down around 1000) is an incomplete Old High German poem Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London St George's Day is celebrated by several nations kingdoms countries and cities of which Saint George is the Patron saint, including England, the St George's Day is celebrated by several nations kingdoms countries and cities of which Saint George is the Patron saint, including England, the A paladin (from Latin palatinus, plural palatini; cf derivative spellings below was a high-level official in numerous countries of medieval Dragon Hill is a small hillock immediately below the Uffington White Horse on the border of the Civil parishes of Uffington and Woolstone George
• The Magic Sword, 1961 film loosely based on the legend of St. The Magic Sword (also known as St George and the Dragon, St George and the Seven Curses, and The Seven Curses of George and the Dragon
• Patrick Woodroffe, author of several poems about St George collated in a book called Hallelujah Anyway

References

• Brooks, E. Patrick James Woodroffe (b 1940 Halifax West Yorkshire) is an English artist etcher and drawer who specialises in fantasy science-fiction artwork with W. , 1925. Acts of Saint George in series Analecta Gorgiana 8 (Gorgias Press).
• Burgoyne, Michael H. 1976. A Chronological Index to the Muslim Monuments of Jerusalem. In The Architecture of Islamic Jerusalem. Jerusalem: The British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem.
• Alban Butler, Butler's Lives of the Saints, vol. Alban Butler ( October 13, 1709 - St-Omer, France May 15, 1773) English Roman Catholic Priest 2, pp. 148-150. "George, Martyr, Protector of the Kingdom of England" (on-line text)
• Gabidzashvili, Enriko. 1991. Saint George: In Ancient Georgian Literature. Armazi - 89: Tbilisi, Georgia.
• Loomis, C. Grant, 1948. White Magic, An Introduction to the Folklore of Christian Legend (Cambridge: Medieval Society of America)
• Natsheh, Yusuf. 2000. "Architectural survey", in Ottoman Jerusalem: The Living City 1517-1917. Edited by Sylvia Auld and Robert Hillenbrand (London: Altajir World of Islam Trust) pp 893-899.
• Whatley, E. Gordon, editor, with Anne B. Thompson and Robert K. Upchurch, 2004. St. George and the Dragon in the South English Legendary (East Midland Revision, c. 1400) Originally published in Saints' Lives in Middle English Collections

(Kalamazoo, Michigan: Medieval Institute Publications) (On-line Introduction)

External links

• Events and ideas for all the family on St George’s Day across England
• St George and the Dragon Felt Board Story at Story Resources
• St. George and the Dragon, free illustrated book based on 'The Seven Champions' by Richard Johnson (1596)
• Bulgaria - St. George's Day
• (Emel Muslim magazine) A very modern patron: Muslims and St George
• Archnet
• Saint George and the Dragon links and pictures (more than 125), from Dragons in Art and on the Web
• Story of St. George from The Golden Legends
• Saint George and the Boy Scouts, including a woodcut of a Scout on horseback slaying a dragon
• The Elevation of St George
• A prayer for St George's Day
• St. George
• St. George and the Dragon: An Introduction
• Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George Orthodox icon and synaxarion for April 23
• Dedication of the Church of the Greatmartyr George in Lydia Icon and synaxarion for November 3
• Dedication of the Church of the Greatmartyr George at Kiev Icon and synaxarion for November 26

An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Synaxarium, Synaxarion, Synexarium, Synexarion, pl Synaxaria ( Greek: Συναξάριον, from συναγειν

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