Remembering St George

His saint's day used to be bigger than Christmas - but now he's just remembered for his dragon slaying. April 23 is St George's day and Nelson Cathedral is planning a special service of music and readings in celebration, at the 6pm evening service.

The St George legend dates from the third century AD and involves a dragon that lived in a lake in Libya. The monster had eaten the villagers out of sheep and was onto maidens when St George rode in, slew the dragon with one blow, converted the villagers to Christianity, was rewarded by the king and gave the money to the poor.

St George is the patron saint of England, and Dean Charles Tyrrell says his saint's day seemed like a good opportunity to invite people with English connections to come along and celebrate.

"It will be a low key service and as it falls in holiday time even the choir is off duty," the Dean said. "However we will be singing some rousing hymns in the Church of England tradition and selecting some appropriate readings."

Everyone is welcome to attend the St George's day service at Nelson Cathedral on April 23 at 6pm.

ENDS

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