Friday, April 23, 2010

St George, Dragon-slayer



Today is the feastday of St George.

We're all still not back to 100% which is why we've put off resuming schooling to next week. However first thing this morning my eldest, after looking at the calendar, pointed out to me that it was St George's feastday. After this declaration, amidst the kids' cheering for the feastday of this familiar saint, I fought off shrugging my shoulders (which is what I very much felt like, as I am still as sick as a dog and don't really feel like doing much), but I felt for them and couldn't very well ignore their excitement.

At this particular stage, I already had oven pancakes cooking, so when it was done, we topped it with a St George figurine and the flag of England, and voila! We had our instant St George-themed dish for breakfast!






At the moment the kids are well into colouring St George pictures which I subsequently pulled out of our 'saint files' and printed. Later in the day we will also be playing pin the tail on the dragon and making dragon craft with wooden spoons. The boys have been cutting out swords and shields early in the week, so I plan on locating our Roman soldier helmets and making red-cross-on-white capes (if I'm up to it) to complete their St George costumes. And hopefully it doesn't rain and we feel a bit better to take the kids to Mass.

St George was a member of the Roman army who was very highly regarded for his bravery, especially by the Emperor Diocletian. However, when he converted to Christianity he refused to persecute Christians and eventually gave up his Roman Army post. Consequently, he was thrown into prison and tortured. In the end, he was martyred for his faith. St George was beheaded in the year 303 AD. He is known as the Patron Saint of England.

St George is often depicted with a dragon because of the tenacity and valor he exemplified in fighting against evil and the devil who, in the bible, is referred to as the dragon.

St George, you understand how much courage is needed to keep resisting evil temptations in life. Help us to love Christ and to be courageous like you.

St George, pray for us!

PHOTOS ADDED: wooden spoon dragons, our little St Georges slaying the dragons


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