Saint George’s Day

 Today, in Greece, it's Saint George's Day; happy Name Day to all who celebrate.

Saint George’s Day is traditionally celebrated on 23 April, if, however, it occurs before Greek Easter, it's celebrated on Easter Monday instead.

This year, in Greece, Easter Sunday fell on May 5th, so all the Georgios and Georgias celebrate their name day today; Easter Monday, May 6th!

Saint George, an officer in the Roman army, was born a Greek in Cappadocia, Asia Minor, today’s Turkey.

He was beheaded on 23 April 303 AD after refusing to renounce his Christian faith and refusing to make sacrifices to pagan gods.

One of the most beloved saints, St. George, canonized as a Saint by 494 AD, is the Patron Saint of England, Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Moscow, Istanbul and Genoa.

In mediaeval romances, the lance with which Saint George slew the dragon, was called Ascalon, after the Levantine city of Ashkelon, today in Israel.

Ascalon was the name also used by Winston Churchill for his personal aircraft during World War II.

In Sweden, the princess rescued by Saint George represents the kingdom of Sweden, while the dragon represents an invading army.

Read the life story of St. George here:

https://greekerthanthegreeks.com/saint-george-the-greek.../

Greeker than the Greeks