Monday 23 April 2012

Ethiopians slay St. George's dragon too ....

It is St. George's day here in the UK. However, we do not have exclusive claim to him .... according to wikipedia Saint_George

Many Patronages of Saint George exist around the world, including: Georgia, England, Egypt, Bulgaria, Aragon, Catalonia, Romania, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iraq, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine and Russia, as well as the cities of Genoa, Amersfoort, Beirut, Fakiha, Bteghrine, Cáceres, Ferrara, Freiburg, Kumanovo, Ljubljana, Pomorie, Preston, Qormi, Rio de Janeiro, Lod, Lviv, Barcelona, Moscow, Tamworth and the Maltese island of Gozo, as well as of the Scout Movement[3] and a wide range of professions, organizations and disease sufferers.

That is a lot of dragons that need slaying in my opinion. We spent several holidays in Ethiopia due to work commitments, & I can tell you that they certainly know how to celebrate St. George.

He happily slays dragons all over the country - bright colourful murals in many of the churches lay testiment to the fervour with which he takes on this responsibility.

St. George slaying the dragons....

St George even has his own church in Ethiopia - Bet Giorgis or the Church of St George in Lalibela.

It is one of the many rock hewn churches - carved into the hillside, a beautiful cross of St. George.

Lalibela, Ethiopia - Bet Giorgis, The church of St George


Lalibela, Ethiopia - Bet Giorgis, The church of St George


Lalibela, Ethiopia - Bet Giorgis, The church of St George


Axum, Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion

So whatever your thoughts are on St. George, just enjoy the shared history with many other countries & cultures who are not shy to celebrate their Patron Saint.

Happy St. George's Day everyone!

Dee ~♥~

4 comments:

  1. Very interesting thanks Dee Happy St George Day to you &family!!

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  2. Sorry anonymous is Kathy!

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  3. Your photos of Ethopia are always so interesting and beautiful. What an amazing building in the shape of a cross.

    Love The Tipsy Tart
    xx

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