St. George, patron saint of Catalonia and Aragon
Jorge's name comes from Greek and means "farmer, who works in the earth." Despite the popularity of St. George, very little data known about him, and almost all their news are based on legends and traditions that have passed mouth over the centuries. All historians and writers of books on saints, generally agree that was a Roman soldier, born in the third century in Cappadocia (Turkey) and died early in the fourth, probably in the town of Lydda, now Lod in Israel's. His parents, according to tradition, they were farmers and had a lot of money. In other versions of the story of St. George, we are told that his father was military and that was why his son wanted to follow in their footsteps.
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. 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."
Click here to read "The Legend of St. George and the Dragon"
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, this city makes a great performance, as well as in Alcoy (Alicante), which portrays the saint's aid to its citizens not to be attacked by the Moors.
San Jorge Christianity
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, give up your career faces military and the Roman authorities. 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 to the fact that, although there historically 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? Asin 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 on the one hand, evangelical 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 devoted to the preacher, is the strength of his Christian faith who needs to communicate to the other's convictions, but this will eventually lead to death. Write textually 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. It is a plastic mode of insisting on a truth that has always been part of the core of the Christian message: can not separate faith God and the practical and concrete love for the brethren. " |
La Cruz de San Jorge
In prints that are broadcast on the saint, there is one detail that we can not ignore: the shield. In it, there is a red cross on a white background. (In the picture that I have inserted, that cross is not clear, you have to set much to see. Make an effort!, Is located in the breast of the saint). 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 from the grave: 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 very popular also in Catalunya, "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 popular characters that 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, the his name day is considered as an authentic 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 was first celebrated on October 7, 1926 to commemorate the birth day 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. is estimated that more than 80 countries celebrate World Book Day on this date, although Britain and Ireland celebrate March 14. also worth recalling 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 of Catalunya, next to Our Lady of Montserrat. is also Aragon and the following countries: Georgia, Greece, England, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Russia and Serbia. It is also the patron of knights and the 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. His name day is 23 April.
Prayer to Saint George
San Jorge, we remember you as you remember the old tradition. You abandoned military successes and distribute your assets among the poor. You mighty gods deserted the Empire to follow the crucified Messiah. You leave the safety of your line to join the Christian community. You gave your life for love of the Gospel. St. George, martyr, faithful companion of Jesus. We like to remind you in the light of spring and Easter, we like to remind powerful in the fight against all pain and all bondage. St. George, martyr, faithful companion of Jesus. Help us to fall in love with the Gospel, help us to live this faith that you lived so intensely, help make it possible for everyone to feel the joy of spring.
And although we are not Catalan, the legend of St. George continues to be a legend of princes, princesses and dragons on a blue background.
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