When is St George’s Day 2022? Who the saint was, where he was from and why it’s not a bank holiday in England

Saint George’s Day is the annual day of remembrance for England’s patron saint, who is said to have vanquished a dragon – rescuing a princess in the process – centuries ago.

The Christian celebration, also known as the Feast of Saint George, is not only marked in England, but also in other places where George is the patron saint, including Catalonia and the region of Aragon in Spain.

Greece, Portugal, and Russia are among the other countries to also mark the day with parades, dancing and much more.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who was Saint George?

Saint George is thought to have been born sometime around the year 280 AD.

He was reputedly a soldier who fought in the Roman army and rose up to eventually become a personal guard to the Emperor Diocletian.

It is believed that he was executed for refusing to make a sacrifice in honour of the pagan gods – thus becoming a Christian martyr – during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian.

His tomb can be found in the Christian pilgrimage site of Lod.

According to the popular story, the saint slayed a dragon and saved a princess.

Many of the details of the tale are first found in Jacobus de Vorgine’s The Golden Legend, a 13th century selection of stories about the lives of saints.

According to the legend, the only well in Silene, a town in Libya, was guarded by a dragon who required a daily human sacrifice for the townspeople to get water.

On the day of Saint George’s visit, the town’s inhabitants had selected a princess to be sacrificed.

George then went and slayed the dragon, saving the princess’ life, as well as giving the people of Silene access to water. They all converted to Christianity as a sign of their gratitude.

Where was he was from?

Some may think that Saint George was English. However, it is believed he was born 2,000 miles away in Cappodocia, modern day Turkey, and died in 303 AD in Lydda, in what is now Israel.

Why is it not a bank holiday in England?

Saint George’s Day is marked on 23 April – thought to be the date of his death – which this year falls on Saturday.

In 1415 Saint George’s Day was made a national feast day and holiday in England, a status which it carried until the 18th century.

However, from the Act of Union between England and Scotland in 1707 its significance, and the celebrations around it, diminished.

Now, unlike Saint Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland, and Saint Andrew’s Day in Scotland, school and businesses must open as usual on 23 April, despite various campaigns (and political promises) to make the day a public holiday in England once more.