The Church of England said that the celebration of the nation's patron saint would instead be marked on 29th April this year, rather than the usual 23rd, due to the timing of Easter.
According to the Church's rules: "When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.
"If both fall in this period, St George's Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark's Day to the Tuesday."
However, that appeared to be news to York Minster, which tweeted: "The flag of #StGeorge is lofted high up in the Stoneyard just across the way from York Minster this #StGeorgesDay."
The flag of #StGeorge is lofted high up in the Stoneyard just across the way from York Minster this #StGeorgesDay pic.twitter.com/nSN17bksfw
— York Minster (@York_Minster) April 23, 2019
Questioned about whether its staff knew the date had been moved, the account replied: "We do but we love him so much we thought we'd celebrate him twice this year."
A few people asking whether #StGeorgesDay (#NotStGeorgesDay) still falls on 23rd April in the week following Easter. Here's what the CofE Common worship rules have to say on the matter: https://t.co/OrgRgpVtk5 pic.twitter.com/BelbM1VkBu
— Nick Edmonds (@nickedmonds575) April 23, 2019
Westminster Abbey posted an image of a stained glass portrayal in St Benedict's Chapel, which shows St George slaying the dragon.
On #StGeorgesDay, here's our window depicting this famous saint. The window was erected in memory of the citizens of Westminster who died during #WW2.
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) April 23, 2019
St George is famous for slaying a dragon but #DYK that he was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith? pic.twitter.com/zhSfKXS9XR
However, the account administrators later insisted "we didn't say in our original post that we are celebrating it today. We are celebrating it on 29th".
Prime Minister Theresa May, England football captain Harry Kane, actor Stephen Fry and singer Sir Paul McCartney all tweeted references to St George's Day, apparently unaware of the calendar shift.
"The St George's Cross flies above Downing Street today to mark the feast day of England's patron saint. My warmest wishes to all celebrating." – PM @Theresa_May #StGeorgesDay pic.twitter.com/8Vl4XyaoI4
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 23, 2019
Yet even they were closer to the truth than the Labour Party, which was criticised after tweeting and then deleting a St George's Day message on the 22nd.
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