St George, Patron Saint of England (270 to 303)

Whilst St George is connected closely to England and English nationality, he was actually a Palestinian Christian who was born, according to tradition, in Cappadocia, Turkey around 270 AD. He was born into a Christian family and at an early age was forced to flee with his mother to Palestine after his father was killed for his faith.

From the little that we know about George, he was a warrior but a warrior of peace and his faith was filled with compassion for the poor and helpless. The most famous story about him is that of the slaying of the dragon. A version of the story involves a plague-infected dragon inhabiting a lake near a town in Libya. The townsfolk were being killed by the dragon and George, happening to travel through the town, killed the dragon to save the people. The whole town gave their lives to Christ in response. The story is often seen as an allegory of God’s mercy and loving care for human suffering and the deliverance of the people (the Church) from persecution, with the dragon being the symbol of conquered evil. The story of the plague-infected dragon has a particular resonance in times such as these, with many people living with fear and anxiety.

Many myths and traditions surrounding St George have developed over the centuries, yet what is clear is that George has a complex heritage and was born at a time when cultures and empires were colliding. In addition to England, George became the patron saint of Catalonia, Greece, Lithuania, Russia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Georgia and others as the tradition (and cult) of St George was promoted by the Crusades. During a time of Christian persecution, George was killed on 23 April 303 in the town of Lydda (now Lod in Israel) for refusing to deny his Christian beliefs. St George was unashamedly Christian and was a very public witness to Christ. St George, a multicultural Palestinian saint, fits well as an icon of Englishness that embraces cultural and religious diversity and challenges all its inhabitants to be tolerant and hospitable.

Prayers on the Feast of St George

God of hosts,
who so kindled the flame of love
in the heart of your servant George
that he bore witness to the risen Lord
by his life and by his death:
give us the same faith and power of love
that we who rejoice in his triumphs
may come to share with him the fullness
of the resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Lord God,
who called St George to be a force for good in the world,
and to turn the hearts of the people towards you,
give us the humility and courage to embrace our communities
and welcome all those who are different from us.
Amen.

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us
from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Fr Jeremy
Feast of St George the Martyr
Thursday 23 April 2020