St George

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One of Baden-Powell's sketches of the Patron Saint of Scouting

"Prepared and alert a Scout follows the lead of our Patron Saint George and his spirited steed." - Baden-Powell in "Scouting for Boys"


Patron Saint of Scouting

"He is also the Patron Saint of Scouts everywhere. Therefore all Scouts should know his story. St. George was typical of what a Scout should be."

"When he was faced by a difficulty or danger, however great it appeared, even in the shape of a dragon - he did not avoid it or fear it but went at it with all the power he could ... That is exactly the way a Scout should face a difficulty or danger no matter how great or how terrifying it may appear. He should go at it boldly and confidently, using every power that he can to try and overcome it, and the probability is that he will succeed.

"St. George's Day is April 23, and on that day, Scouts remind themselves of their Promise and Scout Law. Not that a Scout ever forgets either but, on St. George's Day, he makes a special point of thinking about them. Remember this when April 23 comes round again".

Baden-Powell, 'Scouting For Boys'.

Saint George

It is believed that;

  • He was born in Cappadocia, in modern Turkey, with a Palestinian mother.
  • He served as officer in Roman army.
  • George refused to take part in religious persecution of the Christians by the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
  • After confessing his Christianity, he was repeatedly bribed to abandon his faith.
  • George was tortured for his faith, but did not die.
  • George was finally executed by decapitation before Nicomedia's city wall, on April 23, 303.
  • He is buried in Church of Lydda.
  • In 494, George was canonised as a saint

St George is the patron saint also for Aragon, Canada, Catalonia, China, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, horses, knights, people with skin diseases, Corinthians F.C. and farm workers among many others!

Legend

The legend of St. George, which is an morality tale showing good beating evil, tells how Saint George rode into the city of Silene in Libya, where he foundnd the people terrorised by a dragon which was fed one of the citizens every day. The next victim was to be the daughter of the King, but St. George killed the dragon and freed the people.

There is no historical evidence that St George really lived. Stories about him date from 400th century.

Also known as

  • Pyhä Yrjänä (Finland)
  • Sant Jordi (Catalonia)
  • São Jorge (Portugal)
  • "el Khader" (Islam)

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