Hail, George!

Who exactly was St George?

In the state of Rio, we've all recently enjoyed Dia de São Jorge, the St George's Day holiday that happens every year on the 23rd April.

St George is commemorated by diverse nations and regions around the world. He's the patron saint of England, whose national flag bears the St George's cross, as well as Georgia and Ethiopia. One of the most popular saints, he's venerated across the Mediterranean, from Catalonia and Sardinia to the Middle East, as well as in the Eastern Orthodox church.

If we believe in myths, we all know that he slew a dragon. But why, and what else do we know about St George?

The legend goes that the dragon was demanding human sacrifices, so St George came to the rescue by first taming, then slaying it, while on horseback, in order to save a princess who was to be the next offering.

This story fits in with St George's fame as a military figure. Although little is known about him, it's thought that he lived in the era of the late Roman Empire. A couple of hundred years after the birth of Jesus, these were also the days of early Christianity. According to historians, he was a Roman officer of Greek descent, born in Cappadocia, a central region of present-day Turkey.

St George's veneration has its origins in the fact that he was sentenced to death for refusing to give up his Christian beliefs. The day of his death was 23rd April in the year 303, now commemorated annually as St George's Day.

The slaying of the dragon story was attributed to St George much much later, with the earliest recording in a Georgian script from the 11th century. This story and St George himself were popularised by Christian warriors during the Crusades, a series of religious wars against Muslims in present-day Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Syria and other neighbouring countries. The red St George's cross on a white background has its origins during this period, and it was widely used as a symbol by Christian troops and the Crusades in general.

So, there you have it: the legendary origins of England's national symbol.

THE INFORMATION ABOVE WAS TAKEN FROM THE NEWSLETTER OF THE BRITISH COMMUNITY IN RIO DE JANEIRO - THANK YOU FOR YOUR ALWAYS ENLIGHTINING ARTICLES! The picture is a miniature of St. George and the Dragon, Verona second half of 13th century.