Who is Saint George?

On 23^rd April every year, the British celebrate St George. This is England's national holiday and despite campaigns to make it such, it is not yet (there is always hope!) a public holiday. Who is St George and why is he celebrated?

The term 'Saint' describes a man or woman who is recognised, in Roman Catholic and Orthodox teachings, as having special qualities and who is seen to be an example of virtue. Sainthood is a state of holiness resulting from a person's unsurpassed expression of the principles of his religion.

Accurate information on this Patron Saint is hard to find and there are many speculations about his life. What is generally thought is that Saint George, Patron Saint of England, was born around 280 AD probably in Cappadocia. He joined the Roman Army when he was 17 and very quickly earned a name for himself as being virtuous in behaviour and physically very strong.

Rumours of his strength, valour and courage spread throughout Europe and the most famous story about him is Saint George's fight with a dragon.

As one version of the story goes: a dragon made its home in a spring from where the people of a town called Silene in Libya got their water. The only way they could get their water was to wait for the dragon to move away from the spring to nearby food to eat. So every day they left a sheep strategically far enough away from the spring for them to be able to get their water while the dragon ate. When they had no sheep left, they started to feed it with their children drawing lots to decide on which child would be eaten next.

Then it came the turn of the king's daughter. At first he refused but the people in the town didn't see why if their children had to be eaten by the dragon, the king's shouldn't be too and eventually he agreed.

The princess was taken to the spring and the dragon was just about to eat the princess when Saint George made an entrance. The dragon, angry at his intrusion, attacked him but Saint George fought with all his might, killed the dragon and rescued the princess. Another version of the story speaks of how Saint George held up the
Christian cross to stop the dragon from attacking him. He then used his lance to pin the dragon to one spot while the princess took off her belt and tied it to the dragon's neck as a makeshift collar and lead. This tamed the dragon. After his defeat, the grateful townspeople converted to Christianity.

There are many versions and many settings of this tale including England although it is unlikely Saint George ever set foot in England. All involve a town threatened by a dragon, a young princess to be offered to the dragon, Saint George entering the scene just as the princess is about to be devoured and George slaying the dragon and rescuing the princess.

George was made Patron Saint of England by King Edward III when the Order of the Garter was formed in St George's name in 1350.