St George's Day: Who was England's patron saint?
Every year on 23 April, many people across England celebrate the country's patron saint, St George.Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over all areas of life.England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland all have their own patron saints.
St George isn't just the patron saint for England.He also holds this position for Aragon, Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Moscow, Istanbul, Genoa and Venice (second to Saint Mark).
Who was Saint George?
Very little is actually known about George, and there are a lot of stories about him that are full of myth and legend.It is believed he was born in a place called Cappadocia - an area which is now in Turkey - and he lived during the 3rd century.His parents were Christians, and, after his father died, his mother took George to live in the Middle East, where she was originally from.George became a Roman soldier but protested against how badly Rome treated Christian people.
He was put in prison and tortured because of this, but he refused to turn away from his religious beliefs. He was eventually executed.It is said that the Roman Emperor's wife was so impressed by how George did not give up his faith that she became a Christian too.It is believed that she was executed in the same way George had been.
What is the St George's Cross and what does it represent?
The flag of Saint George is a red cross on a white background.It's England's national flag and you may have seen it used to represent teams in sports like football, cricket and rugby. It's also incorporated into the Union Flag, which is also known as the Union Jack (the UK's flag).The cross of St George was joined with the cross of St Andrew in 1606 to create the Union Jack.
What about the dragon?
One story many people think of when St George's name is mentioned is that of him slaying a dragon.This story became popular when it was printed in 1483 in a book called The Golden Legend.Legend has it that George came to a city called Silene, in a country called Libya, where there was a dragon.The people of the city were feeding sheep to the dragon every day to stop it from attacking them - but they ran out of sheep.
So they had to nominate people from the town to be sacrificed to the animal.When the king's daughter was selected, he tried to protect her - but the people of the town refused, saying that if they were expected to sacrifice their loved ones to the dragon, why shouldn't he?George came across the princess waiting to be sacrificed to the dragon, and she told him what was happening in the town.The dragon turned up, and George is said to have fought with the dragon and captured it, putting a collar round its neck.The princess led the defeated dragon into the city, and people were terrified when they saw it. George told them not to worry and to put their faith in God.The town converted to Christianity, and eventually the dragon was killed.
Why is St George the patron saint of England?
One thing that we do know about St George is that he wasn't actually English. It is even believed that he may never have stepped foot in the country.Some people have actually campaigned for St Edmund to be the patron of England, as they believe he is more English and more suitable for the title, but the country's patron saint has not been changed.Back in the 14th century, King Edward III (1327-77) was so inspired by tales of King Arthur and his knights that he founded something called the Order of the Garter around 1348. The Order of the Garter was a special group of knights (and it still exists today).He made St George the patron of this Order and its badge depicts George slaying the dragon, so St George remains an important symbol of knighthood.
St George's Chapel was built at Windsor Castle by Edward IV and Henry VII and made the official chapel for the Order of the Garter.English soldiers also used to wear the cross of St George on their fronts and backs.From the 14th century, Saint George came to be regarded as a special protector of the English.
How is St George's Day celebrated?
Normally there are traditional parades and celebrations like fetes, church services and traditional English activities like Morris dancing.Maybe you could decorate your home, or if you're feeling really crafty, make some flag bunting from pieces of paper.
Perhaps you could draw a picture of St George or his flag to put in your window for other children to spot.You could also dress up as a character from one of the legends surrounding St George, maybe as a knight or a dragon.
St George's Day celebrations around the world
St George's Day celebrations don't just happen in the UK. In Spain, people exchange books and roses with one another, while a whole lamb is roasted for a special feast in Bulgaria.There are lots of celebrations in Brazil including fireworks and people eat a traditional stew called feijoada which is made with black beans. In Croatia, celebrations include singing and dancing, and bonfires are also lit.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The Battle of Trafalgar relic worth stunning sum: Huge flag bearing chilling scars from 1805 naval clash that killed hero Lord Nelson
A unique Union Jack flag which was raised during the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged for sale for £450,000. It was displayed at the front of HMS Royal Sovereign which led one of the columns during the seismic battle on October 21, 1805. Sovereign, commanded by Admiral Collingwood, was first into action against the French and Spanish fleets as Lord Nelson watched on admiringly from HMS Victory. The British naval hero reputedly said: 'See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action.' The 100-gun first rate ship cut the enemy line and engaged the Spanish three decker Santa Ana in a titanic duel. Over the course of the battle Sovereign suffered huge damage, with most of her masts and rigging shot away. The flag, which until it was restored still had wood splinters in it, was salvaged from the 183ft-long vessel when the fighting ended. It has been preserved for 220 years and is now being offered for sale by antique dealers Greens of Cheltenham. They say it is the only surviving Union flag from a command ship at Trafalgar. Charles Aubrey Antram, the master's mate who took the flag, was from a family of sailors and with neither he nor any of his brothers having children it passed to their sister, Rachel Nelson Lloyd. When she died childless the flag passed to her great nephew Owen Dunn. It then passed to his son, Captain William Dunn, a First World War veteran, and he came to believe the flag was from the Battle of the Nile. Before he died he gave it to his friend William Ames, a Second World War veteran. It was sold to a private collector following his death at auctioneers Christie's in London in 2004. Antiques dealer Steve Reynolds, of Greens of Cheltenham, said: 'The flag has been restored as it had wood splinters in it. 'Nelson gave the order for the Union flag to be flown at the front of ships to avoid friendly fire incidents. The flag up close. It has been preserved for more than 200 years 'Royal Sovereign was leading the line so it was a very important ship in the battle. 'This flag is the most exciting re-discovered piece of naval history this century.' Martyn Downer, the renowned Nelson specialist, has researched the history of the Royal Sovereign flag which he describes as a 'remarkable survivor'. He said only three more ships took more damage than Sovereign, which suffered 141 casualties. He said: 'This is a remarkable survivor, especially considering that its true identity was lost. 'It has battle damage from splinters and was flown high from Royal Sovereign's forestay - a rope that supported the foremast. 'Nelson had ordered his ships to fly the White Ensign and the Union Flag because he knew the battle would be chaotic and he felt it crucial that his ships could identify each other to avoid friendly fire. 'The Union Flag was flown high on the forestay above the gun smoke to avoid the risk of damage by shot. 'Famously, Nelson ordered his ships to form two lines and sail at the single line of French and Spanish ships. 'Until then, naval engagements usually meant both fleets lining up parallel with each other and firing away - and often there was no clear victor. 'At the head of one line of the British ships at Trafalgar was Nelson's Victory and leading the other was Royal Sovereign under Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. 'The Royal Sovereign's hull had recently been coppered and she was quicker than any other vessel and broke the enemy line first. 'When Nelson saw this he exclaimed jealously: "See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action!" 'Only three British ships took more damage than Royal Sovereign, which suffered 141 casualties. 'She lost much of her rigging as well as her mizzen and main masts. 'Despite her foremast being struck several times and left tottering, the Union Flag was still flying when the battle ended. 'The ship was then towed to Gibraltar for repairs before heading to Portsmouth where she arrived on December 18, two months after the battle. 'There is a painting of Royal Sovereign in her opening engagement against the Santa Ana and it shows the Union Flag flying. 'Because it was unusual to fly the flag in battle most depictions don't include it, but the artist John Wilson Carmichael was a stickler for accuracy. 'At some point after the battle Charles Aubrey Antram took the flag as a memento - a common occurrence. 'It passed down his family who came to believe it had been flown at the Battle of the Nile, but the design of the flag shows this can't have been the case. 'It entered private ownership about 20 years ago and I have helped research its history to prove that it is indeed a Trafalgar flag. 'Of the three flags that survive this is arguable the most important because it was flown from the Royal Sovereign, a 100-gun first rate ship of the line that was first into battle.' Nelson, who urged his men to 'do their duty', was shot dead by a French sniper while masterminding his greatest triumph. The Treasure House Fair takes place at Royal Chelsea Hospital in London from June 26 to July 1. Battle of Trafalgar: Epic sea clash that laid foundations for Britain's global power - and claimed the life of Lord Admiral Nelson Fought on October 21, 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar is one of history's most epic sea clashes. Not only did it see Britain eliminate the most serious threat to security in 200 years, but it also saw the death of British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson. This was not before his high-risk, but acutely brave strategy won arguably the most decisive victory in the Napoleonic wars. Nelson's triumph gave Britain control of the seas and laid the foundation for Britain's global power for more than a century. Despite signing a peace treaty in 1803, the two nations were at war and fought each other in seas around the world. After Spain allied with France in 1804, the newly-crowned French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had enough ships to challenge Britain. In October 1805, French Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve led a Combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships from the Spanish port of Cadiz to face Nelson and Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. Nelson, fresh from chasing Villeneuve in the Caribbean, led the 27-ship fleet charge in HMS Victory, while Vice Admiral Collingwood sailed in Royal Sovereign. Battles at sea had until then been mainly inconclusive, as to fire upon the opposing ship, each vessel had to pull up along side one another (broadside) which often resulted in equal damage. Nelson bucked this trend by attacking the Combined Fleet line head on - and sailed perpendicular towards the fleet, exposing the British to heavy fire. He attacked in two columns to split the Combined Fleet's line to target the flagship of Admiral Villneuve. 11. 30am Lord Nelson famously declared that 'England expects that every man will do his duty', in reference to the command that the ships were instructed to think for themselves. The captains had been briefed on the battle plan three weeks before, and were trusted to bravely act on their own initiative and adapt to changing circumstances - unlike their opponents who stuck to their command. Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood led the first column and attacked the rear of the line, and broke through. Nelson sailed directly for the head of the Combined Fleet to dissuade them from doubling back to defend the rear. But before he reached them, he changed course to attack the middle of the line - and Villeneuve's flagship. Speeding toward the centre of the line, HMS Victory found no space to break through as Villeneuve's flagship was being tightly followed - forcing Nelson to ram through at close quarters. In the heat of battle, and surrounded on three sides, Nelson was fatally shot in the chest by a well-drilled French musketeer. The Combined Fleet's vanguard finally began to come to the aid of Admiral Villeneuve, but British ships launch a counter-attack. Admiral Villeneuve struck his colours along with many other ships in the Combined Fleet and surrendered. 4.14pm HMS Victory Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy dropped below deck to congratulate Nelson on his victory. 4.30pm With the knowledge he has secured victory, but before the battle had officially concluded, Lord Nelson died. 5.30pm French ship Achille blew up signalling the end of the battle - in all 17 Combined Fleet ships surrendered. ... so did Nelson really say 'Kiss me, Hardy' with his dying words? By RICHARD CREASY for the Daily Mail (in an article from 2007) It was Britain's greatest naval victory and for more than 200 years historians have analysed every detail. Now, amazingly, a new eye-witness account of the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged during a house clear-out. It gives not only a first-hand view of proceedings from the lower decks but also a different interpretation of one of history's most enduring arguments - Admiral Lord Nelson's dying words. Robert Hilton was a 21-year-old surgeon's mate on HMS Swiftsure, a 74-gun ship that played its part in the destruction of the French and Spanish fleets and of Napoleon's dream of invading England. It was 13 days later, after Swiftsure had made it through gales to Gibraltar for repairs that Hilton took up his pen and wrote a nine-page letter home on November 3, 1805. In it he says Nelson's last words, relayed to his ship's company from Nelson's flag captain, Captain Hardy, were: 'I have then lived long enough.' Many people believe Nelson said: 'Kiss me Hardy.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Renowned architect, 80, spotted bagging groceries to pay off late wife's crippling medical debt
An 80-year-old man who was an accomplished architect is now bagging groceries to pay off $80,000 of medical debt from his late wife's health struggles. Gary Saling, of St. George, Utah, had a brilliant career designing luxurious multimillion-dollar mansions for high-society clients. His extravagant work had even earned him a place on Architectural Digest's top 100 list. Despite his accolades and achievements, the title that meant the most to him was 'husband.' So when his beloved wife, Carol, was diagnosed with sundowner syndrome - a condition that amplifies dementia symptoms in the evening - in 2017, he devoted all of his time and energy to caring for her. While Carol's neurology appointments were covered by Medicare, her at home care was not. 'I made the promise to keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home because I took vows,' Gary told FOX 13. After a strenuous battle with the degenerative condition, Carol, who was an artist, passed away in 2021 - leaving Gary to grapple with the loss of his wife while tackling the astronomical debt she left behind. The hardworking widower got a job at a local grocery store, Smith's Market, to start chipping away at the tens of thousands owed. Bagging groceries and helping customers with a smile, community members began noticing Gary and wondering why he was still working at his age. 'I saw Gary bagging groceries, and I thought, "What's this guy, why is this elderly man still here?"' Duana Johnson, who runs a ministry in the neighborhood, recalled to FOX 13. Johnson started fundraisers to help ease Gary's financial burden. His GoFundMe has raised more than $1,900. She also set up a donation account for Gary at the State Bank of Southern Utah and a Venmo account, under the username @HelpGaryRetire with the verification code 2956, to garner funds on his behalf. 'We started a fundraiser and people have been messaging, saying that they see him all the time and they really love him. He's always nice, he's always kind, he's always greeting them and smiling,' Johnson told the outlet. She further elaborated on GoFundMe: 'My prayer is that we can raise the amount of money that was meant for Gary to retire that had to go into medical bills that have kept him in debt and basically is keeping him working "until he dies," as Gary puts it.' Adding urgency to the cause, Gary contracted infections in both of his feet and needs surgery, Johnson wrote. His condition combined with his age makes it difficult and uncomfortable for him to stand and move around all day. Gary grew up in Laguna Beach, California, with a single mother who he credits for his diligent work ethic. He had previously bagged and delivered groceries as a teen. He distinctively remembers taking groceries to actress Bette Davis' house. Gary said Davis had known his mother, who waitressed at the iconic Victor Hugo's restaurant in Beverly Hills. 'She said, "Because your mom has waited on me at Victor Hugo... How I know you're her son is you're just as much of a workaholic as she is,"' he recalled. He went on to pursue a glamorous architectural career in Hollywood. Gary had two children with his first wife, who divorced him in 1980 and left him with the kids. Gary finally met the love of his life in 1991, when he and Carol locked eyes at a stoplight. 'I mean, it was the exact instant. We both raised our sunglasses,' Gary said, gushing over their first encounter. The pair realized they had been going to the same coffee shop for decades without ever crossing paths. The store owner's wife caught wind of their infatuation with each other, and with some good-intentioned meddling, got Gary and Carol to mingle. 'She comes around the corner and she's crying and she goes "Gary, are you telling me you finally ran into Carol?"' the mourning husband told FOX 13. After sitting on a bench and chatting for three hours, the future husband and wife knew they were meant to be together. When Carol was diagnosed with her life-altering condition, the pair uprooted their lives and moved to southern Utah to be closer to her neurologist. Hiring in-home care quickly drained their savings. When Carol passed, Gary lost her social security as well. Gary is beyond grateful for the community's support, but maintains his humility, reiterating that he would do anything to fulfill the promise he had to Carol.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Religious history 'rewritten' with 'greatest discovery since Dead Sea Scrolls'
The Megiddo Mosaic, discovered by an inmate at Megiddo prison in northern Israel, has been hailed as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls" by experts An ancient inscription hailed as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls" has been uncovered beneath an Israeli prison floor, naming it the earliest known testament of Jesus as God. A prisoner chanced upon the 1,800 year old mosaic at Megiddo jail featuring the Greek inscription: "The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial." Believed to be part of the world's inaugural prayer hall from around 230 AD, this 581-square-foot mosaic provides irrefutable evidence of the early Christian belief in Jesus as the son of God. Dubbed the Megiddo Mosaic, the artefact also showcases some of the most primitive artistic depictions of fish, hinting to biblical teachings like the one in Luke 9:16 where Jesus miraculously multiplies two fish to feed thousands. Concealed under Megiddo prison since its initial unveiling in 2005, the historic floor has presently been lent to an exhibition in Washington DC, only until the following month, reports the Mirror US. Carlos Campo, CEO of the showcasing museum, extolled the mosaic as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls," adding that colleagues believe it to be "the most important archaeological discovery for understanding the early Christian church." During the exhibit launch, Campo said: "We truly are among the first people to ever see this, to experience what almost 2,000 years ago was put together by a man named Brutius, the incredible craftsman who laid the flooring here." The Megiddo Mosaic is temporarily on view at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC until its return date in July 2025. Alegre Savariego, the exhibition's curator, said: "The mosaic presents groundbreaking physical evidence of the practices and beliefs of early Christians, including the first archaeological instance of the phrase, 'God Jesus Christ.'". Discovered in the Jezreel Valley, an area steeped in Christian lore as the site for the apocalyptic battle of Armageddon, the Megiddo Mosaic has caused a stir among historians and theologians alike. The four-year dig by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) unearthed the 581-square-foot mosaic floor, which intriguingly includes the name of the Roman officer who commissioned it during Judea's occupation. The find has sparked discussions about a potential period of coexistence between Romans and Christians, challenging the traditional narrative of constant conflict. An inscription on the mosaic reads: "Gaianus, a Roman officer, having sought honor, from his own money, has made the mosaic." Adding to the evidence of a harmonious relationship is the discovery of a nearby Roman encampment. The prayer hall or church was likely hidden away when the Roman Empire's Sixth Legion moved to Transjordan, suggesting a complex interplay of cultures and faiths in the region. The mosaic, which features the names of five women – Akeptous, Primilla, Cyriaca, Dorothea, and Chreste – whose significance remains a mystery, has been hailed as one of the most significant archaeological findings in comprehending the ancient Christian church. Bobby Duke, the Museum of the Bible's Scholars Initiative director, said: "This is arguably one of the most important archaeological discoveries for understanding the early Christian church." The artefact includes some of the oldest images of fish representing Christianity, mirroring the story in Luke 9:16 of Jesus feeding 5,000 with just two fish. Duke explained the importance of the discovery further: "For example, the mosaic underscores the crucial role of women in the early church by the fact that five women are mentioned in it by name,". The museum's expert compared the find to the historic impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on biblical scholarship: "Truly, the mosaic presents a wealth of new data for church historians, like the Dead Sea Scrolls did for Bible scholars." The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) noted the peculiar nature of this request for remembrance of individuals, particularly since it is rare for God to be asked to remember specific people. The IAA elaborated on the significance of the women featured saying, "While they were clearly important to the community, the inscription does not tell us whether they were patrons of the community (like Akeptous), or martyrs, or honored for some other reason." After unearthing a significant find, the IAA meticulously cleaned and preserved the mosaic. The floor was then delicately dismantled, with pieces stored in 11 crates that were shipped off to the US earlier this year for an exhibition titled 'The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith'. "You couldn't just lift the whole floor up," Duke said. "So ... they very intricately cut different pieces of the mosaic so that they didn't destroy any of the artwork. So, not all the pieces were the same size. So, even one of the crates that came into this gallery was about a thousand pounds." Once the exhibit is over, the Megiddo mosaic will be returned to Israel for a permanent display at its original discovery site. When the mosaic is repatriated, the inmates at Megiddo will be moved to a different prison. Additionally, the museum had to own up to the fact that several supposed Dead Sea Scroll fragments within their collection were actually recent frauds. "While some of the founders and actions of the museum are questionable, and the museum clearly has a very ideological agenda, I don't think a 'purist' agenda is very helpful here," stated Prof. Aren Maeir from Bar-Ilan University in a discussion with "As long as everything is done by the letter of the law, I see no problem."
