He’s the dude with the dragon. The dragon. You know the one—saintly, on a horse, spearing a very scaly, very upset reptile. It’s the most metal of all saint stories, honestly.
He’s the patron saint of England, but also of Portugal, Georgia, Catalonia, Ethiopia, and even scouting. The guy gets around. He’s basically the freelance superhero of the saint world.
So every April 23rd, we’re supposed to remember him. But do we? Mostly, we just sigh and go back to work. Unless you live in certain places.
The English Confusion (Or: Why Nobody Celebrates Properly)
In England, April 23rd is supposed to be our big day. Think St. Patrick’s Day in green, but with more awkwardness and less beer. Instead of parades, we mostly get… a Google Doodle.
Why? For starters, it often falls right in the middle of the week. And there’s no bank holiday for it. The government says, “Let’s fly a flag!,” and we say, “Cool, but I’m still paying taxes.”
It’s a bit tragic, really. The patron saint of dragonslaying gets about as much fanfare as a dentist appointment. But hey, at least some pubs do themed pub quizzes.
Catalonia’s Genius Move: Book + Rose = Romance
Now, let’s jet over to Catalonia. They call it La Diada de Sant Jordi. And it’s basically the most adorable holiday ever invented. Forget dragons—they celebrate with literature.
On April 23rd, the streets of Barcelona explode with book stalls and roses. Husbands give wives roses. Wives give husbands books. It’s like Valentine’s Day and World Book Day had a very cultured baby.
It’s a public holiday there, of course. Everyone is off work. They know how to honor a dragon-slayer: with romance and a good read.
St George's Day moved to new date in huge blow to tradition | UK | News
What About the “Other” Dates?
Okay, confession time. Some places don’t use April 23rd. For example, in Ethiopia, Saint George (they call him Giorgis) has his day on January 7th. Different calendar, same dragon-bashing energy.
Then you’ve got Eastern Orthodox churches that might celebrate it on May 6th (if they’re using the old Julian calendar). It’s like the saint’s birthday party is on a floating schedule.
So if you show up on April 23rd expecting a party in Russia, you’ll be drinking alone. Always double-check the local calendar, my friend.
The Real Question: Why Don’t We Make More Of A Fuss?
Seriously, think about it. St. Patrick’s Day is a global excuse to wear green and drink questionable beer. St. George’s Day is a global excuse to… wear a red cross on a white t-shirt and maybe mumble “God Save the King.”
Part of the problem is nationalism. St. George’s day has been co-opted by some… let’s call them “enthusiastic” political groups. That makes the average person a bit shy about celebrating. Which is a shame, because dragons are cool.
We need to reclaim it. Bring back the fun. Imagine a bank holiday where you’re legally required to eat a roast dinner and watch a knight fight a puppet dragon. I’d sign that petition.
So, What Day Is It For You?
Bottom line: If your calendar says April 23rd, that’s the day. Mark it. Put a little dragon emoji next to it. You’re now part of the global Saint George fan club.
Don’t expect a day off unless you live in Catalonia, Newfoundland, or a few other lucky spots. But do expect a moment to appreciate the guy who killed a mythic lizard. That’s a pretty solid Tuesday.
And if you’re feeling rebellious, go buy a red rose and a book. Or just put a dragon sticker on your laptop. Either way, you’re doing it right. Cheers, friend.
