Saint George's Day - Celebrate this Romano Greek Hero from Syria by Welcoming a Foreigner Today!

In 1416 the Church Council of England welcomed this legendary Turkish Saint to our shores as a beacon of tolerance and hope. It is worth pointing out that George was Romano Greek from Syria but it appears that the anonymous author was a little lazy in terms of their research. For your benefit here is an updated version of the poem.

Every April 23rd it was traditional for monasteries and households to welcome visitors from other lands. This lasted for many years and the people would celebrate the life and legacy of Saint George in the following ways:

1. Sharing food - the visitor and host would toil together in the kitchen preparing a dish from their native land to be shared together.

2. Sharing stories - after the meal the visitor and host would share a story or legend from their land.

3. Dancing - The visitor would teach the host a dance from their land and visa versa.

4. Differences and Similarities - The visitor and host would be expected to converse to discover commonalities and also unique differences in custom and ways of life. They would discuss family, friends, work, religion as well as details of the flora and fauna of the land.

At the end of the evening the host would pledge allegiance to the visitor and invite them to stay for as long as they wished. They would toast the visitor with this final chant.

“In the name of Saint George, the Turk, the Knight

Who died for strangers and friends alike

We welcome you as we welcomed him

Onto our shores as kith and kin

We welcome you as Our Lord would

To make our friendship strong and good.”