It was St George’s day this week. The patron Saint of England (and of Georgia, and soldiers, among other things), whose cross is the centre of our national and union flags. The hagiographies are varied and often contain ’embellishments’, but that’s not the point. St George is known for two things: holding on to his faith in Christ in the face of torture and death and slaying the dragon (the earliest records of the dragon are 600 years after George’s martyrdom on 23rd April AD 303).
I wonder what would happen if we defined our national values in the light of our patron saint? What would English Values be if they were properly inspired by St George. Let go of the flesh and fire-breathing-blood of mythical beasts and consider the metaphorical dragons of today. Dragons get their own way by force and fear; dragon slayers free the dragon-oppressed, prepared to put themselves in jeopardy if need be, standing firm in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which truly sets people free.
Combining the fighter and martyr aspects of St George, we can be inspired to a character that stands on truth and righteousness, is protected by faith and salvation, an that wields “the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17).
Raymond