Those waking up this morning to celebrate St George’s Day will be shocked to realise they have the wrong day.
St George’s Day will not fall on April 23 this year (Image: PA)
Those waking up this morning to unfurl their St George’s flag this morning will be astounded to realise they have the wrong date. St George’s Day is usually celebrated on April 23 every year. According to legend, St George slayed a dragon and he is revered as a patron saint in England. St George’s Day, also called the Feast of St George, is a feast day for countries and Christian churches around the world.
King Edward III made St George the Patron Saint of England when he formed the Order of the Garter in St. George’s name in 1350. Despite not being from the country, St George was considered somebody who embodied characteristics the kingdom wanted to project to the outside world.
This year the celebration has been moved to Monday, April 28 (Image: Getty)
However, this year is slightly different and anyone celebrating today will be doing so five days too early as the Church of England has put back this year’s celebration day to Monday, April 28.
According to church rules any saint’s day falling in Holy or Easter week moves to the week after the Easter fortnight, usually to the first Monday.
This means St Georges Day has been ‘transferred’ from today, Wednesday, April 23 to next Monday, April 28.
Yesterday evening Downing Street held a reception to mark the day of England’s patron saint.
A note issued by the Church of England states: “When St George’s Day or St Mark’s Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. If both fall in this period, St George’s Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark’s Day to the Tuesday.”
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St George’s Day is typically held on April 23 (Image: Getty)
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Downing Street said: “The prime minister will host a St George’s Day reception in Downing Street to celebrate the very best of our nation’s music, culture and sport. He is the first prime minister to personally host a St George’s Day reception.
“He will discuss the importance of modern patriotism to make working people’s lives better and meet with public sector workers across the NHS and police as part of the Plan for Change.”
The last time St George’s Day was shifted was six years ago in 2019.
The day is usually honoured with traditionally British fare, including pub parties, Sunday roasts, a wealth of parades, people dressed up in Saint George’s Crosses, church services and even a bit of Morris dancing.
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