Facts about St. George's Day in England

A fifth-century myth tells of George recovering three times after being killed, including once when he was chopped into many pieces and buried St. George's Day in England Facts

In 494, Pope Gelasius said 'he was among the saints whose names are justly reverenced among men but whose actions are known only to God' St. George's Day in England Facts

The first account of George killing a dragon came from 11th century Cappadocia, in modern-day Turkey St. George's Day in England Facts

St. George is the patron saint of England, Georgia, Malta, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, Portugal and Slovenia St. George's Day in England Facts

St. George is the patron saint of sufferers from plague, skin diseases, leprosy, syphilis and herpes St. George's Day in England Facts

Due to doubts about his history, Pope Paul VI demoted Saint George to 'optional worship' in 1969. Pope John-Paul II reinstated him in 2000 St. George's Day in England Facts

Even though St. George has been the patron saint of England since the 14th century, only one in five people in England know that St. George's Day falls on 23 April St. George's Day in England Facts

In 1415 St. George's Day became a national feast day and holiday in England. But after the union with Scotland in the 18th century it ceased as a national holiday. St. George's Day in England Facts

St. George is the patron saint of farmers, butchers, horses, horse-riders and saddle-makers, and soldiers St. George's Day in England Facts

St. George became the patron saint of England in 1350, when King Edward III formed the Order of the Garter in St George's name. The badge of the order depicts George slaying a dragon St. George's Day in England Facts

In the UK, the George Cross is the highest medal that a civilian can earn and is awarded for extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of extreme danger St. George's Day in England Facts