Anyone stringing red and white bunting on the 23rd of April could be disappointed this year – as the Church of England has moved St George’s day.
Church rules state that a saint’s day cannot fall between Palm Sunday and Ascension Sunday – which were set for the 13th and 27th April respectively in 2025.
If St George’s Day falls between either holy date, it is to be moved to the Monday after Palm Sunday, which will be 28th April 2025. St Mark’s Day, traditionally commemorated on the 25th April, will be held the following Tuesday.
St George is the patron saint of England, and his day is recognised by both Anglicans and Catholics.
Born in Turkey, the original St George was a Roman soldier who refused to denounce his faith in Christ – even after facing torture. Tradition says he was martyred by beheading in Lydda, Palestine.
According to Greek tradition, Empress Alexandra of Rome became a Christian – and eventual martyr – after hearing an account of George’s suffering.
He was selected to be the patron saint of England around the 14th Century.
In recent years, the St George’s Day date change has caught politicians out. In 2019, Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour HQ tweeted their celebrations a day early.
The new date did not stop Sir Keir Starmer from holding a St George’s Day event on Tuesday 22nd April this year.
He told attendees, which included comedian Rob Beckett and sports personality Gary Linker, that England must reclaim its flag from those who see it as a symbol of aggressive nationalism, saying “we face a never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents.”
He harked back to the Southport riots, highlighting the community efforts to clean streets after protestors threw bricks and smashed shop windows.
“Rebuilding walls, repairing damage… it’s in that spirit that we reclaim our flag and that was incredibly uplifting to go from rioting to people coming out to do what they could for our country.
“So that’s what we must do for our country, for English decency, honour and fairness. Wrench it out of the hands of those who want to divide this nation and reclaim it for good… it belongs to all of us.”