Feast Day 23 April: Colónia de Sant Jordi
Martyred c.300
We know he was a soldier and that he was martyred
during the persecution by the Emperor Diocletian (284-385) for
professing his Christian faith, finally being beheaded after
horrendous tortures.
The best known of the legends involving the saint is the story
of his slaying the dragon and rescuing the fair damsel about to
be offered to it as a human sacrifice.
According to tradition as he killed the dragon, it’s blood fell
on to a white rose, dying it crimson. This is why red roses
symbolise love.
In Mallorca, it is customary for girls to be given a red rose
and men a book by their loved ones, on this day, Book Day in
Catalonia since 1923, and UNESCO International Day of the Book
since 1996.
Also patron saint of Catalonia following his miraculous
intervention in the tenth century when, with lightning as his sword,
he led the pitiful remnants of the Catalan army to retake
Barcelona from a far superior force of Moors.
