I WONDER if the fact that our patron saint St George is not celebrated as fervently as the Scots, Irish and Welsh celebrate theirs may have something to do with the fact the St George wasn't English.
He had Greek parents and was probably born in what is now Israel. He never visited England or had anything to do with it.
The only thing most people here “know” about him was that he killed a dragon, which is of course complete nonsense!
He was undoubtedly a brave Roman soldier who was martyred for his Christian beliefs, as were many others.
He is also a patron saint in at least 18 other countries, including Russia and Syria! Despite his qualities I feel that we should have a patron saint who has more of a connection with our country. So are there any likely candidates?
I suppose he would need to be Christian, so how about Henry II’s turbulent priest... Thomas Becket, the archbishop famously murdered in Canterbury cathedral?
He was a pretty good chap too and was definitely English, born in Cheapside, London. Admittedly, “Cry God for Harry, England and St Thomas” doesn’t have quite the impact of Shakespeare’s version but it’s maybe a bit more relevant to our country.
RICHARD COOK, Southampton.
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