Saint George, (the patron saint of England), is also celebrated in Greece on the saint’s day, April 23.

Named Georgios, Greek for George, he became a Christian martyr, which in the early days of Christianity warranted sainthood. He is however also known for the story of ‘Saint George and the slaying of the Dragon’. Thanks to this legend, Saint George (Agios Georgios) is also regarded as one of the most prominent military saints in Greece.

As a saint, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates his day, with the date also being the ‘name day’ for all those Greeks christened Georgios, or the female derivative Georgia.  The colours symbolising Saint George are red and white, as on the English flag, and on the day garlands are hung up around houses in celebration.

‘Feasts of Saint George’ are held in towns and cities in all regions of the country, with many families having their own ‘name day’ celebrations, which makes the day momentous for all local communities.

For someone celebrating their name day, you can say “Να χαίρεσαι το όνομά σου”! (na herese to onoma soo), meaning may you rejoice your name, or just “chronia polla” (be blessed with many years).

The celebration of name days has been a tradition in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox countries since the Middle Ages, and has also continued in some measure in other countries, such as Scandinavia, where the Protestant established church retains certain Catholic traditions.