St George's Day

Canon Michael's words for the Solemnity of St George

A happy St George's day to you all.

We  know very little about St George except that he was a soldier and martyr. Our crusader king Richard the Lionheart made him our nation's patron saint. There is no doubt St George is and was a popular saint. Many countries have him as their patron. I think of St George as a brave and courageous soldier who was prepared to die for his love of Christ.

Many years ago I was in the Holy Land and I was able to visit St George's shrine. He is buried in the small town of Lydda (Lod) which is very near to the Tel Aviv airport. It is a poor town. You can't help but see it is a Palestinian town. The church where St George is buried is Russian Orthodox. From the outside the area is distinctly run down but inside the Church is beautiful. The Tsar donated a magnificent chandelier which dominates the interior. You go down some steps to the crypt and there you see a fine icon and the simple tomb of the saint.

It seems so strange that such a famous saint should have such a humble shrine. I am sure St George thinks it fine.

Let us ask St George to bless our land at this time of pandemic and to bless all who serve in the armed forces.