Today, 23rd April is St Georges day. St George is the patron saint of England, but he wasn't English - he was born in Cappodocia in Turkey of Greek ancestry and probably was an officer in the Roman Praetorian Guard. He died (by decapitation) in Lyyda in Palestine this day in AD303 for refusing to recant his Christian faith.
But then, St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland wasn't Scottish - again of Greek origin he died by crucifixion (but bound by ropes not nailed so that was OK !) He is also the patron saint of The Ukraine, Roumania and Russia !
So what about St Patrick patron saint of Ireland? Well he was Romano-English being born in Glannoventa in Cumbria, and only went to Ireland initially as he was shang-hied by pirates and sold as a slave in Dublin. When he escaped he returned to try and convert them!
The last kingdom of the UK is Wales of course, with St David as Patron Saint. Now he actually WAS welsh and seems to have been an all round 'good chap' being the Bishop of Mynyw (how DO you pronounce THAT?) during the 6th Century.
Despite all that, St George IS our patron Saint and we are holding a dinner party this evening to celebrate with friends as symbolically he represents England as opposed to the UK
Put out a flag - we have
But then, St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland wasn't Scottish - again of Greek origin he died by crucifixion (but bound by ropes not nailed so that was OK !) He is also the patron saint of The Ukraine, Roumania and Russia !
So what about St Patrick patron saint of Ireland? Well he was Romano-English being born in Glannoventa in Cumbria, and only went to Ireland initially as he was shang-hied by pirates and sold as a slave in Dublin. When he escaped he returned to try and convert them!
The last kingdom of the UK is Wales of course, with St David as Patron Saint. Now he actually WAS welsh and seems to have been an all round 'good chap' being the Bishop of Mynyw (how DO you pronounce THAT?) during the 6th Century.
Despite all that, St George IS our patron Saint and we are holding a dinner party this evening to celebrate with friends as symbolically he represents England as opposed to the UK
Put out a flag - we have