Dragon Legend
most widespread legend of St. George is without doubt the dragon, in which we are introduced to our holy as a soldier or knight fighting against a monstrous (The dragon) who lived in a lake and had frightened an entire village in Libya. This animal required two lambs daily to feed in order not to approach the city, which had a strong stench and polluted everything was alive. (Remember, surfer friend in those days there were no toothpaste !!!). At the end thought that farmers were left with almost no sheep and decided to deliver it every day a living person, who would be chosen in a lottery. One day, I touch the "luck" to the king's daughter, but when the monster was going to eat, St. George's saved. It is for this reason that in Catalonia, St. George (Sant Jordi) is the patron saint of lovers. The legend of St. George was written in the thirteenth century by James of Voragine in his famous work "The Golden Legend."
In it, we discover that we are called to be a gentleman, not only to save beautiful princesses like that tells us!, But to save people who suffer so much in our society. The dragon symbolizes evil in our world: poverty, lack of solidarity, hypocrisy ...
It means that the Catalan tradition of the legend of the dragon, not set in the country of Libya, but in Catalonia itself, specifically in the city of Montblanc (Tarragona). Every April 23, in this city are a great representation, as well as in Alcoy (Alicante), which portrays the saint's aid to its citizens not to be attacked by the Moors.
Christianity St. George
After a few years in the Roman army, St. George realizes that his real army is that of Jesus Christ, distributes its goods to the poor, he gives up his military career and facing the authorities Roman. It is noteworthy that the minutes of the martyrdom of our saint is lost and we can only know some of them from the folk tradition. Therefore, we face the fact that, although historically there martyrdom of St. George, can not be taken as such historical traditions. Anyway, these stories are a symbol of the ideals and convictions of those Christians who gave their all for their faith in Jesus Christ. St. George suffered martyrdom in the modern city of Lod (Israel) in early 300 at the time of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximilian. It was the same James of Voragine in his book "The Golden Legend" spread the martyrdom of St. George.
What can we learn the martyrdom of St. George?
As with many other popular accounts of martyrdoms, behind which are the historical inaccuracies, is hidden deep intuition of truths. Thus, in the case of the martyrdom of St. George, appears very clearly, First, the evangelistic dimension of their testimony, and, on the other hand, the example of burning charity shows with his behavior.
Joan Llopis, in the book "San Jorge" published by the Center for Pastoral Liturgy of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bvery rightly said that what moves inside the saint to leave his life as a soldier and engage in a preacher, is the strength of their faith Christian needs to communicate to the other's convictions, but this will eventually lead to death. Verbatim writes Joan Llopis
"Martyrdom is certainly a testimony of faith. But, above all, a witness of charity. The popular biography of San Jorge is pleased to note the fact of the generous distribution of goods to the poor martyr undefeated performed prior to engaging the public defense of the Christian faith. Plastic is a way of insisting on a truth that has always been part of the core of the Christian message: can not separate faith in God and the practical and concrete love the brethren ".
La Cruz de San Jorge
In the pictures that are broadcast on the saint, there is one detail that we can not ignore: the shield. In it is a red cross on a white background. In other prints, leaves represented on the shield of holy knight. This cross is the famous "Cross of St. George" and appears in many graphic representations of the Risen Christ, which emerges victorious the tomb: "Christus Rex." If we study the issue, we can say that the cross, symbol of defeat and death, becomes the case of Christ and his martyrs, a sign of victory and life. In this case, the cross is a sign of victory. Some theologians, taking advantage of the feast of St. George always falls within Easter time, Easter related death of a martyr's death of Jesus Easter.
La Cruz de San Jorge is also very popular in Catalonia, "La Creu de Sant Jordi." Many coats of entities and cities carry it. We have two clear examples: the shield of the city of Barcelona and FC Barcelona (Barca). Even the Generalitat (Catalan Government) distinguishes each year to popular figures who have done something positive for Catalonia with distinction from the Creu de Sant Jordi "(Cruz de San Jorge)
Worship and traditions. The day the book
The cult of St. George was born shortly after his death, first among the Christian communities of East and then from the West. His popularity was so great that he received the title of "great martyr." Soon temples stand in his honor. But it is interesting to note that, in the diocese of Girona, there is only a parish church dedicated to him, Sant Jordi Desvalls and only three chapels and shrines located in Calonge, Lloret de Mar and Sant Llorenç de la Muga. In Catalonia, his name day is considered as a real party, but falls on a weekday. Is "The day the book and the rose." In every town there are bus stops Catalan books and roses. As I have already mentioned in the beginning, the Catalans celebrate Saint George on the day of lovers. The man gives a rose to your loved one, and this gave him a book. Students are the first to want to "make the August", and setting up their stalls to get some money and travel to the prom.
can say that the coincidence of World Book Day with the feast of St George has nothing to do with the saint. World Book Day began to be held on October 7, 1926 to commemorate the birthday of Miguel de Cervantes. The idea was Valencian writer and editor, based in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bVicent Clavel Andrés who proposed to the Chamber of the Book of Barcelona. On February 6, 1926, the English government headed by Miguel Primo de Rivera agreed and King Alfonso XIII signed the royal decree instituting the "English Book Festival." In 1930, carrying it agreed to change the date to April 23, the day of the death of Cervantes. It said that Miguel de Cervantes was very well connected with Barcelona, \u200b\u200bcity that gave high praise in his "Don Quixote" and in which the protagonist visited a printing company. In 1995, UNESCO established April 23 as World Book and Copyright. It is estimated that more than 80 countries around the world celebrate World Book Day on this date, although Britain and Ireland celebrate March 14. Should also remember that an April 23, 1981, died a great Catalan writer Josep Pla and that was in 1616 would the English playwright William Shakespeare.
patronage and protection
is the patron saint of Catalonia, next to Our Lady of Montserrat. It is also of Aragon and the following countries: Georgia, Greece, England, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Russia and Serbia. It is also the patron of knights and Boy Scouts, and in Catalonia, of lovers and some farmers who will plead for its fields of barley. Is invoked to bless a new house and against the spiders.
From: http://www.santopedia.com/santos/san-jorge/
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