Favorite Traditions to Celebrate St. George's Day
86
The Patron Saint of England is St. George and his national holiday is celebrated on April 23rd of every year. However, while researching Favorite Traditions to Celebrate St. George’s Day I was surprised to learn that although this is England’s national holiday it is not a public holiday. This means that schools, businesses, post offices, public transportation, and other organizations are open as usual.
At first I thought this was a little unusual, but then recalled that there are several holidays in the U.S. that are celebrated by government offices, banks, schools, and etc. that will not be official holidays for the general public that work for the private sector. So with that said, let’s began to learn more about Saint George.
 | Amazon Price: $25.95 List Price: $29.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.24 List Price: $13.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $44.95 |
Who was Saint George?
Saint George’s characteristics caused him to be called, “Victory Bringer” and “The Quick to Hear,” needless to say, he was known for his defense of all in need. It is written that he was born during the Fourth Century and died perhaps what can be viewed as a martyr’s death of execution by decapitation in Lydda, Palestine. This patron of saint's journey began as a noble-born soldier that had high ranks within the Roman army that got thrown into prison for disagreeing with the Emperor’s persecution of Christians.
Despite being tortured he refused to change his beliefs and was beheaded on April 23, 303 A.D. It was during the Battle of Antioch in 1098 that he was adopted as the Patron Saint of the soldiers after his spirit appeared to the crusading armies. Richard “The Lionheart” put his army under Saint George’s protection in 1191 and St. George’s Day was officially acknowledged as Patron Saint of England by the End of the Fourteenth Century. In addition to soldiers, Saint George is also patron saint of scouts, archers, cavalry and chivalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers, and he helps those suffering from leprosy, plague and syphilis.
Dragon, Flag, and Emblem
And then there is the legend of St. George fighting on behalf of a village being terrorized and the princess held captive by the wicked dragon. As with any legend there are several versions of the legend of St. George and the Dragon. However, it is written that Saint George slays the dragon and the spot where the dragon’s blood fell grew a rose as a symbol of love and friendship. Many see the slaying of the dragon as a symbol of victory of goodness over evil.
Saint George’s banner or flag is a red cross on a white background. The Pope during the first Crusade decided that the knights of different nationalities should be assigned different colors of the cross. The French knights were given the red cross on a white background, however the English knights objected because they considered this to be their St. George’s flag. In 1188 King Philip II of France ruled that the two flags would be exchanged. This flag was carried as a banner from 1277 during Edward’s 1 war to capture Welsh territory. Was flown from the masts of ships at the siege of Harfleur in 1415 and Henry V used it in the Battle of Agincourt.
Local dioceses acting on behalf of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting can award the St. George Emblem to members of the laity and clergy. The St. George Emblem is used to give recognition to the recipients of outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of the Catholic youth in the Boy Scouts of America.
More about St. George
- St. George - England\'s Patron Saint
British history records that St. George is the patron saint of England, believed to be born of noble birth, and among the most famous of Christian figures... - The Legend that is Saint George
Most will agree that there is nothing written about St. George's life. However, there are several version on the legendary story of him slaying the dragon...
St George's Day Parade
Traditions to Celebrate
Now that you’ve been introduced to Saint George and his
legend, I’m now going to share with you some of the Favorite Traditions to Celebrate
St. George’s Day. I think it is
important that you know that not only is St. George the patron saint to
England, but also of, Aragon, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia,Greece,
Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of
Amersfoort, Beirut, Bteghrine, Cáceres, Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana,
Gozo, Pomorie, Qormi, Lod and Moscow. My findings revealed that each celebrate St. George in their own unique way.
One tradition of those that do celebrate the occasion in England is a red rose (the national flower) worn in the button hole. I found it interesting that several articles stated that in England only 1 in 5 people know that St George’s Day falls on April 23rd and that many view it as just another ordinary date of working. Mandy Barrow writes, “You are more likely to see big St Patrick Day parades in England than you would see signs of St George’s Day being celebrated.” This information helped me to understand why there were so many individual videos like this one that is full of passion, yet lacking the sparkle of costumes that one usually sees in a parade. It’s as though these people are attempting to express enough passion for those that don’t get the true meaning of this special day. I'm guessing since this has not been declared as an official holiday that these people are basically on their own creating their own parades and probably either taking a vacation day from work or off without pay. Regardless, there are celebrations throughout England that one can attend…
St. George’s Day Festivities in London
This year in London however, it seems that there will be more of a celebration. The Mayor of London is providing a free, family-friendly St George's Day Concert in Trafalgar Square. Before the concert you could spend time at the National Gallery, that is hosting a free lunchtime talk on Tinoretto’s Saint George and the Dragon painting, and then partake of a special St George's Day menu in its National Dining Rooms.
Since Shakespeare's Birthday coincides with St George's Day you also can go and visit the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. And at the Music Hall at the Leicester Square Theatre there will be dancing, sing-a-long choruses, along with free St George flags to participate in the celebration.
Other Ways of Celebrating St George’s Day
I found one website that offered nearly 50 ideas of what local councils could do to organize a Saint George celebration. Of course some ideas would require money and require prior arrangements like hiring professional Morris Dancers or perhaps someone can organize, teach, and provide amateur dancers for this festive day. St George is usually mentioned in the Mummers Plays during Christmas time; however the website suggested that these plays be performed for St. George’s Day as well. It even provides two plays one might consider performing; the website is titled How to organize a St. George celebration.
Many in England choose to celebrate by getting family and friends together for a traditional English meal. Eating national dishes like Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, Beef Wellington, Beef Stew and Dumplings, Cornish crab cakes, Ham hock, Fish N Chips, or a Shepherd’s Pie to name a few.
Today, the social media can be a way for individuals to interact and share ideas with others that celebrate St George’s Day this link on Facebook can be a good place to start. Or you might prefer time alone to laugh and enjoy the website dedicated to St George’s Day Poems.
More Articles of Interest:
- Why we should celebrate St George\'s Day - Telegraph
St Georges Day should be the beginning of a rebellion against a teaching of history that reduces our past to a mere aperitif to modern times, argues Richard Chartres. - Celebrate St George\'s Day at Wrest Park: English Heritage Property Hosts Annual Dragon Slaying Even
Wrest Park in Bedfordshire hosts the largest St. George's Day Festival in England, with activities and entertainment for the whole family.
The way some would like to celebrate St. George's Day
St George's Day Poll
Do you celebrate St. George's Day?
See results without votingEnding Notes
I hope you have found the information that I’ve provided to be useful. I will admit it has been difficult to find many straight forward traditions for St. George’s Day, unlike other Patron of Saint Celebrations this one has left me a little confused. I finally grasped that some English for whatever reason choose not to celebrate or even know the history of St George. While others are passionate and feel strongly that St. George’s Day is heritage and should be an official national holiday.
So rather than try to form an opinion on a subject that I don’t have enough information to place judgment on an English culture; I’m going to close by inviting anyone from England that participates and or chooses not to participate in this unofficial holiday to leave comments expressing what your plans are for St. George’s Day? And other comments are welcomed as well.
 | Amazon Price: $24.95 |
more from Money Glitch
- Favorite Traditions of St. Patricks Day
Those of Irish roots celebrate Favorite Traditions of St. Patricks Day, on March 17th. Let's learn who... - Wales and St. Davids Celebration
In Wales, on March 1st everyone will be celebrating St. Davids Day. Spend a little time traveling via online to celebrate this holiday... - Favorite Rituals on Chinese New Years Eve
This hub highlights favorite rituals on Chinese New Years Eve and reveals the traditions, rituals, and symbolisms of this Asian holiday. The...
 | Amazon Price: $59.73 List Price: $71.68 |
| Amazon Price: $205.80 List Price: $518.03 |
 | Amazon Price: $228.69 List Price: $575.73 |
- All My Saints and Martyrs - St. Nicholas and Many More
Patron Saints celebrated in the United Kingdom. Illustrations and a film clip of St. Nicholas of Myra. - 2 years ago
- If It's Not Scottish It's Cr@p - Patrick Stewart's Humor, and Dedication to the Anti-Abuse Movement
April is National Humor Month, and Britishers discussed in this Hub all have a grand sense of humor and comic timing. Coincidentally. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Monthand at least one... - 2 years ago
- Hellfire Club of Sir Francis Dashwood
England has had a colourful and turbulent history. The Hellfire Club of Sir Francis Dashwood is one of the more interesting and intriguing slices of English history. So what really did go on at the... - 2 years ago
- Finding Great Places to Visit in England While Tracing My Family Roots
Family history, and genealogy - researching one's ancestors - has always held a fascination for me. Both my grandmothers came from England, so we were raised with stories of their life there before... - 2 years ago
interesting read, thanks for the info MoneyGlitch
Didn't know there was a St. George's Day. Happy to learn something new. Thanks, Money Glitch.
@barryrutherford - Glad you like it, Barry! :)
@psychicdog.net - You're welcome psychicdog! :)
@drbj - Glad I could provide you with some new info drbj!:)
Thanks to each of you for stopping by for a read and commenting.:)
Didn't know about St. George's day until i read your hub. Thanks for providing useful and interesting information.
You obviously did a lot of research on this interesting, well written hub. Great job!
A great hub on an important part of England's history it is your flag and looks great on your Rugby League Jerseys!
Very interesting. I had no idea what it was all about until I read this hub. And now I feel a little smarter! kekeke =D
Nice info. Like many english people I do not celebrate the day. A holiday day would be nice though
@anglwu - Thanks for stopping by Anglwu, I am just learning about Saint George as well.
@Pamela99 - Yes, I really attempted to do my homework on this one because it was an unfamiliar subject. Thanks for your support.
@billyaustindillion-I'm not English, however, I'm guessing they would acknowledged your compliment.
Thanks each of you for stopping by for the read and commenting. :)
@Om Paramapoonya - Hehehe! Hi Om,I'm like you, I really am thrilled to read a hub and learn something new. It does make you feel smarter. :)
@ethel smith - Hi ethel, thanks for your support I was hoping someone from the UK would stop by for a read.
Thanks to each of you for stopping by and commenting. :)
Just total perfection MG, you just get better and better !
I don´t celebrate St.George´s Day (I´m not from England) but I enjoyed reading your hub cause I´m always happy to expand my general knowledge! You provided interesting information; some things I already knew, but some were totally new especially concerning ways in which people celebrate this day.
@TattoGuy - Oh thanks TattoGuy for such a kind comment. :)
@Vox vocis - Hi Vox, I like to learn new things as well, thanks for stopping by for a read. :)
Two hubs in the top 10, you are deff the girl for sure, this Favorite Traditions to Celebrate St. George's Day is deff one of yer best hubs but as I said before, the best just gets better, and you do ; )
Yes, it is exciting. Hopefully, there will be some great traffic between now and St. George's Day. Thanks for the compliment!:)
To be perfectly honest, I didn't know much about St. George's day prior to your hub! Informative.
Thanks so much for stopping by festersporling1 for a read. I'm glad you found the hub informative. :)
Nice Hub
good info
@mike1242 thanks for stopping by for the read.
@bad - Thanks! :)
How odd that we don't celebrate St George's Day... it might have something to do with our previous Patron Saint, St Edmund? He was shot with arrows, had his spine sliced out of his back (while still alive) and was finally decapitated (by Vikings)as well, yet his head continued talking. Maybe we're more impressed with Eddy than Georgie? Or perhaps his un-dying bonce isn't happy about George usurping him by merely killing a dragon? Nah? Just a thought...
Cool hub.
It's my husband's birthday, so we always celebrate St. George's Day at our house. ;-) It's Shakespeare's birthday too.
@fen lander - Hi fen lander, Hhhhhhmmmm, based on your comments sounds like you have the making of a good hub. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight. :)
@ddalgleish - Hi ddalgleish, Wow that is interesting that your husband's birthday is on the same day as St. George's and Shakespeare's. Just think if St. George's day does ever become an official holiday; your husband stands the chance of getting his birthday off every year. :) Thanks for stopping by and commenting. :)
Congrats on your featured Hub Money Glitch! Excellent. I always loved the dragon legend, but I now know a whole lot more about this brave national hero.
Nice article Money Glitch. I am in the process of preparing what looks like it's going to be a fairly long account of the Celts to correct some of the misconceptions, untruths and outright rewriting of history. While doing so I found myself reading about Armenian history. At one time Armenia was basically where Turkey is at this time. One account has Haik, the founder of the Armenian people, defeating Nimrod's army. Another has him defeating Bell. After reading Daniel chapter 14 about Bell (Baal) and the dragon I can see how these two accounts are the same, seeing Nimrod is associated with the Tower of Babel, Babylon and the pagan god Baal. This could be where the story of St. George defeating the dragon originates. For those that do not have the account of Bell and the dragon in your Bible you can read it here,
http://www.drbo.org/chapter/32014.htm
Also Armenia was the first country to recognize Christianity as it's state religion, even before Constantine stopped the persecution of Christians and even before Constantine was born. Armenians were in the Roman Legions in the middle east. So St. George could very well have been Armenian. Whether he was or not it's all very interesting.
You have a Happy St. George's Day. Mike
@Green Lotus - Thank you Green Lotus for the Congrats and commenting. I agree with you that now I feel like I know more about St. George the patron saint of England as well! :)
@Make Money -WOW sound like a series of hubs to me! What a challenge of sorting through legends and factual material. Good luck on you quest. I look for to the read. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight. :)
i love learning new things about different places and people, an interesting hub indeed......thx 4 share
Hi loveofnight I like to learn new things as well. Thanks so much for stopping by for a read. :)
Great hub here, Money Glitch. You really researched this so well. It's a shame we don't do more to acknowledge this Saint. Look at the Irish how they put St. Patrick all over the world, and we do so little to promote George! Well done on this great Hub! : )
Hi Cheeky Girl, I think you are right for whatever reason St. George seems to the least celebrated Saint of all the Patron of Saints. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. :)
Fantastic Blog. Well written and very informative.
Are you on twitter?
Thanks for stopping by and commenting englandworldcup!
You do know that video from BNPtv you have there is propaganda for a racist far right party?
Most of them are Jobless overweight scum who use the flag of Britain to hide their general grottiness.
They don't have the slightest right to fly the flag for England!
Hhhhhmmm, you are the first from England to have anything negative to say about this hub. As I stated in the hub, I am NOT from England, do not know the history of the left party or the right party. Wouldn't dream of entering into the fight.
Simply found the You-Tube video of people celebrating St. George's Day and placed it along with the other videos within the hub. And that is it. :)
Hadn't heard of any of this, thanks for the heads up!
Sadly Adam is correct Money Glitch. That BNPTV Video is the English equivalent of watching a KKK march through some backwater southern US state. Did you not notice the lack of black or Asian faces in the crowd or the plethora of skinheads and dodgy looking geezers in trench coats? England has trouble celebrating St George's Day for this reason. One of the reasons English society functions as well as it does is that displays of overt patriotism and nationalism are considerably played down. Good thought provoking hub though.
Wow, that was quite the interesting hub! Never knew there were so many ways to celebrate.
@Dona Rosa - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
@saltymick - Obviously there is a divide among England as to whether or not to celebrate St. George's Day. Again, it is an individual decision and I am not supporting or attempting to influence anyone in that decision in any manner. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. :)
@lender- Hi Lender, Glad you found it interesting thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :)
Hmmm the English hehe, they dont celebrate it as much unlike the Irish, Great hub and LOOK 100, and you are 100 my friend, look at your avatar it is sexy and cheeky, ii is distracting me hehe, Thank you and Night, Maita
oh boy another catholic special day. whoohooo. It always amazes me that these so called saints always have signs and wonders attached to them. "where the dragons blood flowed a flower rose up". Makes me sick. This is something God would NOT do and i hazard to say that it is a lie to promote catholicism and to say how great it is and look, another created saint! This is yet another special day i will be totally skipping over. Can't we forget about catholicism and move on.
@brotheryochanan - O.k. brother based on your name and your comments you are out to start some religious debates and get some promotional attention to your believes. Note that is what the forum on religion is for.
@PDH - Hi Maita, it is great to see your comments, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :)
I would like to celebrate it more but it in not even a national holiday!
Hi ns1209 thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on St. George's Day. :)
I would love to celebrate it , see all activities going to happen on that day on
Hi imurzz thanks for stopping by, commenting, and sharing the activities that you are aware of for St George's Day. :)
nice hub keep sharinggg with usss..
I like to follow the old custom of picking dandelion heads for winemaking on St Georges day. And opening some of last years brew of course.
best forex tips for you hddgfdrrxiruhdfdr
@lifepk - thanks for stopping by and commenting. :)
@reddy - no more tips o.k. :)
@organized living - Hhhhhmmmm, I vaguely recall hearing of dandelion wine, but I've never actually had it before. If I recall this homemade brew is a powerful wine. :) Enjoy! :) Thanks for stopping by and sharing your tradition.
my mum tried to make dandelion wine once. I was too young to try it but i dont think it went down very well.!
LOL, Thanks Dvd for stopping by and sharing your story. :)
Great hub, and I thought most people who celebrated St George's Day just used it as an excuse to go to the pub. Oh, except for one postman I knew who dressed up as St George and decorated his bike as the horse.
Hi Georgina! LOL, Interesting story on the postman; imagine that would be a sight to see. :) Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :)
Hi Money
I'm a UK hubber and I was actually surprised that someone from the States would actually be that interested in St George's day since to be honest it's a bit of non-event here relative to events like St Patrick's day which is celebrated with far more alcoholic gusto! I don't know why the guy above with the hang up about catholicism has such a bug up his ass about this too given that it virtually passes without notice. He'll want to ban Xmas day next! I'm 47 years old and it was never that big a deal when I was a kid but I have noticed that in the last ten years or so the concept of England has been marketed to us more and people now buy little St George cross English flags that they can fix to the windows of their cars and drive around with. Though I think this is possibly the cosnsequence of people showing support for the England football team primarily and that has possibly diffused throughout public concsciousnees and been taken up as a practice on st George's day for some. It is sadly though also true what saltymick says above. The expression of patriotism is now a sensitive issue since it suggests associatations with the far right elements in GB society and I have noticed that as you get closer to the more cosmoplitan and multicultural cities (I live near Birmingham in England) the proportion of such flags on display increases. This I think is more a reaction to the prevalence of minority ethnic groups in particular urban areas and as such can be seen as a kind of crypto racist thing to do. A kind of attempt to reclaim England in a time when the white English identity is deemed to be in crisis and in decline culturally. Such fears are possibly media driven but the demonisation of ethnic groups (muslims in particular) since 9/11 in the GB press possibly adds to the desire to fly the St George cross amongst some in our society. But essentially what it means to be English has changed in a globalised world and the traditional versions of Englishness expressed in the conservative discourses of St George and England just don't seem as relevant anymore.
This was done as part of the weekly writing among the HubMobsters. Subject was St. George and everything English. St. Patrick and St. David was so interesting and rich with history and tradition I assumed that St. George would be as well. I must admit in a non-judgmental way I was surprise to see such a difference in the way the holidays were celebrated. So this hub is the results of my online research.
Interesting thoughts about St. George's Day. A UK Hubber friend of mine, wrote her views on St. George's Day and some of what you've said she agrees with. In that she never celebrated it as a child. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :)
I was already interested in St. George's life, this article help me to know more about his story. Thanks.
In Catalonia St. George's day ( San Jordi) is a really great day,public holiday, of course. They usually give a book and a flower, I think is a rose, but I'm not sure about it.
Great "I am England" video. Get involved for St. Georges Day.
www.youtube.com/philosophyfootball
@MAMBORD - Thanks Mambord for stopping by and sharing your experience with St. George's day in San Jordi and reminding me that other locations do celebrate this holiday. :)
@Mr England - Thanks for stopping by and commenting. :)
Love that I found this through your "tweet"! Great job, well written and well researched.
Wow, Duchess, I'm impressed! Guess I should spend more time on Twitter. :) Thanks for stopping by for a read. :)
Great job! You did some excellent research. Keep up the good work.
Hi Ted, Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Money Glitch maybe the guy that wears the apron didn't like my previous comment. It always amazes me how history can either bring the best or worst out in some people. I apologize if it was me that rocked the boat on your hub.
Hi Make Money, I think you were o.k. with your comments because they were based on researching and tracing a time line in history. So no need to apologize, I look forward to reading your hub once you get it composed. :)
I had never heard of this holiday before. Thanks for the history lesson. It's one of my favorite subjects, but I'm pretty ignorant of British history.
Thanks Angela, This is what I like about writing with the HubMobsters, it causes you to stretch in your writing and thinking.
I was just like you never heard of the holiday, and unfortunately a history buff that forgets dates. LOL! Thanks for stopping by, I'm glad you learned a little bit of information on your one of your favorite subjects. :)
Has anybody noticed how St George's day just blends into any other day here in england :(
For St Patrick's day all the whistles and flutes come out yet for our own patron saint its the odd flag on a car and thats it!
Anna, Blackpool, UK
x
Hi Anna, As an American, I found it interesting, however, it seems there is a lot of controversy about this Saint and the meaning of his holiday; plus many in England traditionally never have never celebrated the day, while others are passionate about having the day as a Holiday.
Take a look at the above comments that have been given so far. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. :)
keep it up
Thanks! :)
Nice photos you got here! Videos rock too! Thanks for the info hope to see more.
Thanks for stopping by Helen. :)
St.George’s Day is celebrated with full cheers in London. The Christian patron is respected by all and the day comes on his remembrance.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.:)
My family and I are from England but now live in Canada. We've never celebrated St. Georges day but my dad suggested that we should this year. It seems fitting since there's such a to-do over st. patrick's day, and also we celebrate Canada day, so i think my family should celebrate St. Georges Day.
Hi Amy, I really enjoyed researching the different holiday celebrations of Europe with each one of them having their own interesting history. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your family's experience with not celebrating St George's day, but considering doing it this year. Many times all it takes is for one family member to make a decision to start a new family tradition. :)
 | Amazon Price: $5.22 List Price: $16.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $2.37 List Price: $8.99 |
barryrutherford Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago
Very nice I like it !