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When is St. George's Day in 2016? |  |
The date of St. George's Day in 2016 is on Saturday, April 23rd.
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What is St. George's Day? | |
The feast day of Saint George is celebrated in a variety of Christian denominations and in countries that claim Saint George as a patron saint. Nations that recognize the day include England, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Canada. The date of April 23rd commemorates the death of this historical character in 303 AD. Depending on the church calendar used and national traditions, the feast day may be moved to after Easter or even into May.
The history and mythology surrounding St. George is a bit foggy. He was apparently born in what is now Turkey and enlisted in the Roman Army at the age of 17. He quickly rose through the ranks and was put in charge of a regiment of 1,000 men. But his Christian faith put him at risk and he was eventually executed for his religious beliefs. The more colorful tale of St. George features the young man slaying a dragon and saving the life of a princess. Children in England reenact this tale in celebration of the feast day for England’s patron saint.
