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Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Why is St. George's Day celebrated? Church of England moves feast to next week
St. George's Day is a feast day that holds great significance in England. It is typically celebrated every year on April 23 in honour of the country's patron saint. However, things are a little different this year as the Church of England has moved the feast to next week. The reason behind the shock shift in the date is a unique rule followed by the Anglican Church. While the feast for St. George's Day is held on the 23rd of April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death, this year it has been moved to Monday, April 28. A Church of England rule dictates that a saint's day cannot fall within a week before or after Easter, which was observed on April 20 this year. A note issued by the Church of England, according to The Express, reads, 'When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. If both fall in this period, St George's Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark's Day to the Tuesday.' The origin of St. George's Day dates back to as early as the 9th Century, according to The Sun. However, modern understandings are based on 11th and 12th Century versions of the story behind the revered saint. In the tale, which is focused on a village in Cappadocia, Turkey (changed to Libya in some versions), villagers offer their princess to a hungry dragon when they run out of sheep. However, the mythical creature was slain by Saint George, who rescued the princess. The saint's bravery solidified his position as England's patron saint. The country has observed St. George's Day as a national holiday since the 15th Century. Some of the most important and common traditions on this day are Morris dancing, Medieval and Renaissance fairs, and displays of dragons.
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Why St George's Day has been moved from 23 April this year
If you were getting ready to fly your St George 's Day flag in honour of England 's patron saint today, you might be surprised to discover that you've got the date wrong. St George's day is usually celebrated on 23 April every year, but the Church of England has changed the date this year because no saint's day can take place in the week before or after Easter. Any saint's day falling in Holy or Easter week moves to the week after the Easter fortnight, usually to the first Monday, according to the Church of England. A note issued by the church says: 'When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. 'If both fall in this period, St George's Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark's Day to the Tuesday.' St George's Day is a national day, and an Anglican and Catholic festival. St George is the patron saint of England. Despite a change to the date this year, Sir Keir Starmer held a St George's day reception at Downing Street on Tuesday evening. The prime minister said England faces a 'never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents', sharing his his worries about the far-right claiming ownership of St George's Cross. Sir Keir praised England for its diversity, pointing to the difference between his 'working class' background and his predecessor Rishi Sunak, 'an English Hindu', who had both been able to become prime minister. 'That for me is something I think we should always be proud of and never take for granted,' Sir Keir said. But the Prime Minister added: 'Because, while this is a day for celebration, we cannot be under any illusions that there is a never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents. 'I'll put it this way, when I was standing in the old Wembley in 1996 – not many people sat down that day, it felt like that whole tournament embodied the best of our country. Yet now – there are people trying to sow division in our communities, people taking the red and white of our flag, like the bunting downstairs, with them, as they throw bricks at businesses.' Among the celebrities who joined Sir Keir at the No 10 reception were outgoing Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, and comedian Rob Beckett.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
St George's Day moved to new date in huge blow to tradition
According to church rules, any saint's day falling in Holy or Easter week moves to the week after the Easter fortnight - usually to the first Monday, meaning St George's Day has been 'transferred' this year Brits waking up this morning ready to fly their St George 's flag might be surprised to find out they've got the date wrong. Typically, St George's Day is celebrated on April 23 each year. The legend of St George, who famously slayed a dragon, has made him a revered figure and patron saint in England. Known as the Feast of St George, the day is celebrated by countries and Christian churches globally. King Edward III declared St George the Patron Saint of England when he established the Order of the Garter in his name back in 1350. Despite not being English, St George was seen as a figure who represented the qualities that the kingdom wanted to portray to the world. But this year is a bit different. If you're celebrating today, you're actually five days early. The Church of England has postponed this year's celebration to Monday, April 28. This is because church rules state that any saint's day that falls during Holy or Easter week is moved to the week following the Easter fortnight, typically the first Monday. So, St George's Day has been 'transferred' from today, Wednesday, April 23, to next Monday, April 28. Downing Street held a reception yesterday evening to commemorate the day of England's patron saint, reports the Express. The Church of England provided guidance regarding the celebration dates for patron saints, saying: "When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. If both fall in this period, St George's Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark's Day to the Tuesday." Downing Street revealed that the PM will be throwing a special bash to mark St George's Day. "The prime minister will host a St George's Day reception in Downing Street to celebrate the very best of our nation's music, culture and sport." It said. "He is the first prime minister to personally host a St George's Day reception." Further details about the reception emerged as they said: "He will discuss the importance of modern patriotism to make working people's lives better and meet with public sector workers across the NHS and police as part of the Plan for Change." The occasion marks six years since the last shift of St George's Day back in 2019. St George's Day festivities usually include events packed with traditionally British activities, from lively pub celebrations and hearty Sunday roasts to a multitude of parades, folks donned in Saint George's Crosses, church ceremonies, and even a dash of Morris dancing.
The Sun
23-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
St George's Day 2025 UPDATES: Thousands celebrate the patron saint of England despite Church pushing back feast day
ST GEORGE'S Day is usually celebrated on April 23 every year – but not this year. If you're hoping to celebrate the patron saint of England you'll have to wait after Church officials put back this year's feast day to Monday, April 28. According to church rules, no saint's day can take place in the week before or after Easter. If and when it does fall during this period, the day is "transferred to the Monday after the second Sunday of Easter". The shift in date comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said England faces a "never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents". You can follow or live blog, below, for all the latest updates and reaction ... 2 minutes ago By Allan Glen The patron saint of England ... and Bulgaria As well as being the patron saint of England, St George is also celebrated in Albania, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Greece, Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Castile and León, Catalonia, Alcoi, Aragon, Genoa, and Rio de Janeiro. 10 minutes ago By Allan Glen 'Shakespeare to Wembley' – message from the Mayor From Shakespeare to Wembley, queueing to Sunday roasts—being English means many things. But at its heart, it's about standing up for what we believe in: democracy, fairness, decency and respect. This St George's Day, let's celebrate all it means to be English. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London 17 minutes ago By Allan Glen Thousands prepare to celebrate Thousands of people are expected to celebrate St George's Day across England and around the world today – despite the Church of England moving the official date to April 28. Nottingham is expected to display the largest St George's flag in the heart of the city, while the Welsh villages of Broughton & Saltney could also be marking St George's Day in style, with the tiny hamlets being named as the most English part of the UK in the 2021 Census. 24 minutes ago By Allan Glen Politicians didn't get the memo ... Here's "proud Englishman" Lee Anderson posting on X: By Allan Glen 'Illiterate about Christianity' St George's Day was last moved in 2019 when the Labour Party was mocked for posting on X, now Twitter, a day early. Then Prime Minister Theresa and London Mayor Sadiq Khan also posted messages wishing England a "happy St George's Day". It led to a church historian branding politicians as 'illiterate about Christianity". 38 minutes ago By Allan Glen Church statement on date change Here is the Church of England's statement: "When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. "If both fall in this period, St George's Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark's Day to the Tuesday." 40 minutes ago By Allan Glen Welcome to the Sun's not-quite St George's Day 2025 live blog Thanks for joining us. We'll keep you updated throughout the day with all the reaction to the Church of England's announcement that the date is being moved.
Metro
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Today is not St George's Day despite what your calendar might tell you
If you were planning on waving your St George's Day flag to celebrate England's patron saint today, you will be surprised to learn you have the wrong date. St George's Day is usually celebrated on April 23 each year, but the Church of England put back the date to Monday April 28 as no saint's day can take place in the week before or after Easter. A note issued by the church states: 'When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. 'If both fall in this period, St George's Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark's Day to the Tuesday.' In 2019, politicians including Sir Keir Starmer, then Prime Minister Theresa May and London Mayor Sadiq Khan all posted a message on the wrong date. It led to a church historian branding politicians as 'illiterate about Christianity'. It's our national day and an Anglican and Catholic festival. St George became a legendary figure for his courage and bravery – even though he never actually set foot in England. However, he wasn't English and, no, he didn't slay a dragon. Very little is known about the real man, although it is thought he was Greek, born in the third century in what was then Syria Palaestina. He was a Roman soldier turned Christian martyr. It is believed he protested against the persecution of Christians and was subsequently tortured and killed because of his religion. Last year an event to mark St George's Day in London descended into chaos after attendees broke through a cordon and started fighting with police. More Trending A number of groups believed to be linked to football hooligan firms and the far-right travelled across the UK to march on Whitehall today to commemorate St George's day. But the Metropolitan Police were forced to intervene as attendees broke through the a barrier an hour before the event began and started attacking officers, prompting the Met to respond by deploying mounted officers to keep the peace. Footage from the event showed crowds blocking the road while chanting 'England til I die,' while one attendee was spotted attacking a police horse with an umbrella. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The 'underwhelming' UK town named one of the most boring places on Earth MORE: Easter and Good Friday UK weather forecast as 'changeable' conditions roll in MORE: The 7 innocent English words you definitely don't want to say in other countries
