Archbishop fights for St George’s Day holiday

THE Archbishop of York took to the city’s streets yesterday as he stepped up his campaign for St George’s Day to be made a public holiday to promote national unity.

Dr John Sentamu has been a supporter of a public holiday dedicated to England’s patron saint, and has written to Government Ministers to urge them to instigate the move.

He joined more than 150 members of the public to mark the annual celebrations yesterday outside York Minster.

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The cathedral’s carillon also rang out to the sounds of patriotic songs including I Vow To Thee, My Country and Rule, Britannia! from midday.

Dr Sentamu said: “As someone who loves St George, I have long campaigned for us to have a special holiday where we can celebrate our patron saint and all that is great about our wonderful nation.”

He also collected donations for the Help for Heroes charity, which supports servicemen and women from the Armed Forces who have been wounded in conflicts.

The annual celebrations usually fall on April 23, which is reputed to be the date of St George’s death in AD 303. However, the event shifted to May 2 this year as April 23 fell within Holy Week.

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Despite the celebrations, very little is known about the real St George. He is thought to have been born into a noble Christian family in the late third century in Cappadocia, which is now in Turkey.

He followed in his father’s footsteps to become a soldier but when Emperor Diocletian ordered the systematic persecution of Christians, George refused to take part.

He was tortured and executed in Palestine, becoming an early Christian martyr.

The legend of St George slaying a dragon and rescuing an innocent maiden from death dates from the medieval era.