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| St.George Patron Of England; April 23 | |
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| Topic Started: Tuesday, 22. April 2008, 17:31 (50 Views) | |
| KatyA | Tuesday, 22. April 2008, 17:31 Post #1 |
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St. George was martyred at Lydda in Palestina, probably before the time of Constantine. This is all that can be ascertained about this famous saint. There are many and various, but unfortunately not very dependable, Lives of St. George, telling of the wonders of his martyrdom: how he encouraged his fellow Christians by public avowal of his faith, how he was arrested and how he was executed after many sufferings, not indeed only on his part, for his persecutors received their punishment. But the story of the slaying of the dragon, the story which is vividly associated with him and which has acquired such symbolic power, not to speak of its literary uses from Spenser's Faerie Queene to children's tales of the Seven Champions of Christendom, does not make its first definite appearance until the twelfth century. It is then that we find a story of his martyrdom to which has been added an account of St. George as knight and dragon slayer. George, it says, a Christian knight, came to the city of Sylene in Lybia, which was being persecuted by a terrible dragon; and the people had been reduced to supplying it with prey from among their own company. On this occasion the king's daughter herself had to go forth, but George attacked and subdued the monster, and the princess led it back to the city with her own girdle round its neck. Here St. George slew the dragon on the condition that the people should be baptized. With some words of admonishment on being good Christians he then goes on to his martyrdom; the complete transformation of the saint into a knight of chivalry in which he marries the princess is a still later development. In spite of the lack of detailed information, George was, and is, a great figure in the east. It is remarkable also that his fame spread so far and so comparatively fast. He was known in England by the eighth century, his Life was translated into Anglo Saxon, and English churches were dedicated to him. the middle ages saw a steady development of his identification with England. In an age of elaborate chivalric ideals and ritual, when saints were given the attributes of knighthood and William Langland in Piers Plowman could speak of our Lord riding to Jerusalem to joust for our salvation, George became patron of knighthood and arms, and finally patron of England. The famous flag appears in 1284, and in the fourteenth century the red cross on the white ground was worn by both soldiers and sailors. This of course survives in the white ensign of the British Navy, in the flag flown on high days by English parish churches, and it is incorporated in the Union Jack. The Order of the Garter, the premier order of knighthood in England, was established by Edward III about 1347 and placed under the principal patronage of St. George--as it still is; St. George's Chapel, Windsor, was built as the chapel of the order. The saint's feast became of increasing importance during the middle ages, and remained a holiday of obligation for English Catholics until 1778. From The Saints: A Concise Biographical Dictionary, ed. John Coulson Another biography, from Butler's Lives of the Saints can be seen HERE A shorter one which includes the Golden Legend and a list of his patronages, is available HERE |
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| Rose of York | Tuesday, 22. April 2008, 23:21 Post #2 |
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http://www.universalis.com/England.Westminster/today.htm Invitatory psalm Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of martyrs. St George (- c.303) He was martyred at Lydda (now in Israel) in about 303, during the persecution of Diocletian. Like so many saints of that period, the only fact that we can be certain of is his martyrdom. His cult spread quickly through both the East and the West, and the legend of St George and the Dragon only appeared some time afterwards. During the crusades, George was seen to personify the ideals of Christian chivalry, and he was adopted as the patron saint of several city states and countries, including England and Catalonia. King Richard I of England placed his crusading army under the protection of St George, and in 1222 his feast was proclaimed a holiday. Readings, Feast of Saint George, Martyr and Patron Saint of England (Solemnity) 3rd April Mid-morning reading (Terce) Apocalypse 2:10 - 11 © Do not be afraid of the sufferings that are coming to you: I tell you, the devil is going to send some of you to prison to test you, and you must face an ordeal for ten days. Even if you have to die, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life for your prize. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: for those who prove victorious there is nothing to be afraid of in the second death. Noon reading (Sext) Apocalypse 3:21 © Those who prove victorious I will allow to share my throne, just as I was victorious myself and took my place with my Father on his throne. Afternoon reading (None) Apocalypse 19:7 - 9 © Let us be glad and joyful and give praise to God, because this is the time for the marriage of the Lamb. The angel said, ’Write this: Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb’, and he added, ’All the things you have written are true messages from God’. |
 Catholic and proud of it! Talk to God before Mass. Talk to each other afterwards | |
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| KatyA | Tuesday, 22. April 2008, 23:23 Post #3 |
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Prayers in honour of St George O GOD, who didst grant to Saint George strength and constancy in the various torments which he sustained for our holy faith; we beseech Thee to preserve, through his intercession, our faith from wavering and doubt, so that we may serve Thee with a sincere heart faithfully unto death. Through Christ our Lord.Amen. Mighty God, Saint George was nicknamed the "Victory Bringer" because he relied on Your power to defeat evil wherever he went. Starting out as a soldier in his country's army, he converted and became a soldier for Christ. Laying down the world's armour by giving his wealth to the poor, he forever after carried the shield of faith and won many victories for those who sought Your help. I ask him to pray for the battles I've been enduring, and to bring Your triumph into my life. Help me to overcome the Enemy, Lord Jesus, and teach me how to protect myself with ever-increasing faith. Saint George, pray for me. Amen. |
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| KatyA | Thursday, 23. April 2009, 11:21 Post #4 |
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 Happy St George's Day 2009 KatyA |
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| Derekap | Thursday, 23. April 2009, 14:08 Post #5 |
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When I was working in Egypt the Copts often had small Holy Pictures on their desks or at their workplace. St George and the Dragon often featured among them. There seem to be variations of his life story and it is sometimes suggested he is purely a legend. Whatever is true I am sure Almighty God will have at least chosen a St George in Heaven to be our Patron. |
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5:27 PM Nov 23