Happy Saint George's Day

The Patron Saint of England, and other countries, St George, the slayer of a vile dragon is celebrated today. No doubt some will be quick to chime in with all the usual tired boilerplate; wasn't even English, never even came to England, symbol of imperialism/oppression blah blah blah, yawn.

As our patron saint's day falls on a Sunday this year, the argument for the day to be a public holiday has not been quite so vociferous as it usually is. It is a day to celebrate all the best qualities of Englishness, good manners, Cricket, afternoon tea, the village fete, fish and chips, the smell of fresh cut grass, beautiful stately homes and gardens, days at the seaside, industry, fair play.

I would very much like to hear of any celebrations or traditions that other English members at home, or abroad observe. The truth of the legend is a completely separate issue to the values of bravery, selflessness, duty, loyalty, and dignity that it has come to represent. Happy Saint George's Day to my English kinfolk wherever you are.

I don't know of any particular celebrations, but Saint George (in Portuguese, São Jorge) is the secondary patron saint of Portugal.

The Lisbon castle is called Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George Castle), as a Portuguese king decided to dedicate the already existing castle to that saint.

That is very interesting. There is a long history of friendship and co-operation between Portugal and England. Are you an English person living in Portugal? I was just actually wondering if the English ex-pat community in Portugal celebrated the day.
a reply to: ArMaP

a reply to: CulturalResilience

Great post. I always celebrate today with a couple of pints and a toast to St George. In fact in the pub now having a quiet drink and reading ats on my phone. Cheers and have a great day!

Thank you. Lancashire; Fried Fish, Beer, Canals, Lowry, industry. Oldham Athletic, Bolton, Manchester City.
a reply to: expatwhite

Happy St George's Day to all my fellow ATSers.
Sadly this seems to be celebrated less and less these days!

a reply to: CulturalResilience

Happy St. George's Day May the ale flow freely all day long!

To My Kinfolk

And to you friend.
Worcester. Beautiful ceramics, craftsmanship, a beautiful county with a glorious cathedral sited in the regional capital, and a unique sauce that enhances so many dishes, and no cheese on toast should be without.
a reply to: Kurokage

So he killed his mother in law and thus the celebration?

originally posted by: Lysergic
So he killed his mother in law and thus the celebration?

Yeah ... nothing like reliving the good old days is there?

a reply to: Neith
Cheers friend, have a couple more on me

I'll have to celebrates.

3 cheers for he who slayed the vile reptile.

originally posted by: Lysergic
So he killed his mother in law and thus the celebration?

And in doing so provided material for generations of North Country, Club Circuit comedians.

a reply to: CulturalResilience

He is not just our saint, and a patron saint does not have to be born in the country that adopt's them though that is more common.
en.wikipedia.org...
There are actually other nation's that venerate him as there patron, He has been a christian saint for a very long time, once an elite Roman soldier he died for his faith at the orders of the man whose life he had protected because he refused to renounce his faith in Christ, the Dragon he slew therefore was by his own death as a martyr to Christ, By losing his life for Christ he gained his life in Christ and the Dragon has no claim on him so it has been slain by his faith.

But like most of you I loved the idea of a mighty and brave hero slaying a great monstrous red dragon with his sword as a child and even dreamed it in a vivid dream so not to spoil the fairy tale version with the historical martyr but the martyr is the true saint George and he was a Greek soldier in the Roman army, probably a praetorian guard.

Peace

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Funny cause i just posted this earlier.

Quite so. I did touch on that fact in the OP, but I wanted to give other like your good self the chance to contribute.

Thank you for your contribution, and may I take this opportunity to wish you the joy of the day.
a reply to: LABTECH767

originally posted by: Neith

Peace

Thank you for your kind sentiments in this thread. That picture rocks my world.
Long live England, God save the Queen, Arthur return and St George arise.

originally posted by: Neith
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Funny cause i just posted this earlier.

Serendipity, My fine friend.

originally posted by: CulturalResilience

originally posted by: Neith

Peace

Thank you for your kind sentiments in this thread. That picture rocks my world.
Long live England, God save the Queen, Arthur return and St George arise.

It is fully 100% my heritage also. I thought this was most appropriate for your thread!

Long Live England!