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WILL YOU SUPPORT ST GEORGE'S DAY AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY?
by George Dimech
In case you don't know who Saint George even is, or why he should have a day of his own:
St. George (ca. 275-281 – April 23, 303 A.D.) is believed to have been born in Cappadocia (now Eastern Turkey). He was a Christian. At the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army and soon became renowned for his bravery. He served under a pagan Emperor but never forgot his Christian faith. On the 23rd of April, 303 AD he was beheaded at Nicomedia near Lydda in Palestine by Diocletian for protesting against the Emperor's persecution of Christians. George rapidly became venerated throughout Christendom as an example of bravery in defense of the poor and the defenseless and of the Christian faith; and is venerated as a Christian martyr. One of the most venerated saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Churches; he is immortalized in the tale of “George and the Dragon”. Saint George is the patron saint of the countries of Aragon, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Catalonia (Spain), China, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, and Serbia. Cities of which he is the patron saint include Amersfoort, Beirut, Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, and Moscow. Saint George is also patron saint of soldiers (archers and cavalry, notably), chivalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers. There are even some diseases that look to Saint George specifically for help, including those suffering from leprosy, plague and syphilis. |
 Saint George is also the patron saint of the Scouting movement. Many Scout troops around the world (including Malta) take part in a Saint George's Day Parade on the nearest Sunday to April 23. Scouts and guides parade through high streets and attend a special Saint George's Day service. |
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England is one of the few countries that do not have a national holiday on its Saint's day. The celebration of Saint George's Day was once a major feast in England on a par with Christmas from the early 15th century. However, this tradition had waned by the end of the 18th century. In recent years the popularity of Saint George's Day appears to be increasing gradually. Members of parliament have for long been putting their argument forward in the House of Commons to try to make Saint George's Day a public holiday.
It is no surprise that the Greeks celebrate Agios Georgios (St George) with great festivals.
Here in Canada, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador celebrates this great day, St George’s Day, with a provincial holiday. It is usually observed on the Monday nearest April 23rd.
One must not forget the date April 15, 1942, when the island of Malta was awarded the George Cross, the highest civil decoration of the Commonwealth of Nations. St George slaying the dragon, depicted on the George Cross, is immortalized into the flag of Malta and can be seen whenever and wherever the flag is flown. Saint George has also been venerated as one of the protector saints of Malta. According to an old tradition, he was seen together with Saint Paul and Saint Agatha in the skies at the Siege of Imdina in 1429 when the Moors attacked the islands. Two parishes are dedicated to Saint George in Malta and Gozo, the Parish of Qormi, Malta and the Parish of Victoria, Gozo. Besides being the patron of Victoria where a splendid basilica is dedicated to him, St George is the protector of the island of Gozo. He is also the patron saint of the village of Qormi. The cult of Saint George in the Maltese islands is very well rooted. Churches and country chapels, altar dedications, street shrines , place names and soccer teams, bear witness to the devotion that the Maltese and Gozitan people have had and still have to St George.
Should St. George gain proper recognition and be adopted as the Patron Saint of the islands of Malta?
April 23rd, St George’s Day – ought to be a day of celebration up and down both islands. Street parties, dinners, special sporting events and most important of all - a National holiday.
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