St. George's Day and Brexit

St George's Day 23rd April

Give England a good chance before the BREXIT vote to decide about England's future by looking at our history, culture and values. This is something the REMAIN IN campaign hasn't discussed yet; only doom, gloom and fear - is this nightmare really black or are the windows painted that we are being asked to look through?

So far none of the campaigns (IN/OUT) have defined what England would lose in a Federal State of Europe with regards to our (a) Nationality (b) Heritage (c) Culture (d) Values and (e) Freedoms. Do remember should England remain in Europe as a small island in a federal quango history has shown the smaller islands lose their hard fought position of relevance (c.f. United State of Hawaii (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii).  If Hawaii is the 50th state of the US then does this demote England to the 164th state of Europe, a state that may become irrelevant through erosion over 50-100 years? The English people and people of England have not been informed nor given absolute guarantees from our elected Parliament where England will be in the next 50 years, let alone 100 years. The current human incumbents would all have popped their clogs and left this mortal coil. As William Shakespeare so poetically put it "For in that sleepe of death, what dreames may come..."  (Hamlet act III scene I). This leaves the rest of the future generation to clean up all the crap they left in their barracks when their souls departed. 

St. George's Day has deep roots in England's heritage and culture. What I love about St. George's Day is that it is not about the colour of someone's skin and so on, but it is about unity and bonding a country's people together to share and enjoy the same values and at the same time extend those values to others who are not of our faith and culture but wish to share and integrate with us and them. 

To celebrate St George's Day is to celebrate England itself: our history, culture and heritage that has created our nation. Patron saints are chosen as special protectors of life and culture.  Like England, every country in the UK has its own patron saint that in times of great threat is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. Legend says St George was a dragon-slaying knight and he was made patron saint of England in recognition of his great acts. St George is also a popular figure outside England in the countries: Portugal, Catalonia, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Macedonia and the Gora. His symbol, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's symbol was originally adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century.

St George
Very little is known about the real St George. He is thought to have been born into a noble Christian family in the late third century in Turkey. He followed in his father's military footsteps and became part of the retinue of the Emperor Diocletian (circa 245-313). St George was a brave soldier in the Roman army who died for his beliefs. The emperor ordered the systematic persecution of Christians and George protested against the Romans' torture of Christians. For that he left the Roman army. For leaving, he was tortured, executed in Palestine, and finally beheaded, becoming an early Christian martyr in 303 AD. St George was also adopted as the Saint of Battles. This was because St. George is said to have appeared to the Christian army before the Battle of Antioch (nearly 920 years ago) in  1097 AD.

Photo courtesy of http://4freedoms.com/photo/battle-of-antioch-1097-a-d

So on the 23rd April 2016 remember that Europe didn't create this day England created this day and today we still defend our nation. Our patron saint, St. George, is a heritage defining moment in our history. Naturally England will celebrate our National Day with parades through streets, floats will be seen, music will be played, dancing for fun, and laughter will be heard. There will be a special St George's Day service at local churches. Moreover, April 23rd is the day for a red rose in the button hole, England's national flower. Shakespeare's birthday falls on the same date, and the Globe Theatre (built in 1599 AD) will be having its usual big celebration. There are events all around the country so join in, take part and have pride in who we are.

Finding our about our great country is not difficult and here are a few weblinks to help you:

St. George International Man of Mystery - http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/pick-of-season/the-real-st-george/
English Heritage - http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
Portal:England - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:England
A timeline of English History - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_English_history
History of England - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_England
English Culture - http://www.britainexpress.com/History/english-culture.htm



 

Easter Remembered

Easter Remembered

I thought I would post this as in the news this Easter period it has been suggested Christian beliefs are declining. This may be so, or it might not be so. Britain has had to absurb some huge changes of the last two decades, cultural and otherwise, with little or no time to stop and pores for thought and to understand what those changes actually meant and mean.

I am not so sure that Christian belief is declining or any other faith-belief for that matter. Merely people are walking away from confrontation where religious beliefs, that are deeply personal to each of us, are used daily as political or scaremongering ends of some sort or other. 

This poem was given to me at Easter when I was sixteen. I enjoy the poem as I like the connotation the name 'Abou Ben Adams' brings. For it seems not to matter if the person is black, white, brown, yellow..., christian, muslim or jew...., and so on. All these matters are set aside to express a personal wish, a desire, a belief. As Easter is the time to remember in the Christian calender this poem reflects many of the doctrines set out in the tenets of the Christian faith. It may also be reflected in the tenets of many other faith-beliefs, too.  


============================
Abou Ben Adam, may his tribe increase,
Awoke one night from a sweet dream of peace,
And saw within the moonlight in his room,
Painting it rich, like a lilly in bloom
An Angel wirting in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adam bold,
And to the presence in the room he asked,
"What writeth thou", the vision raid its head,
 And with a look made of all sweet accord, replied,
"The names of those who love the Lord".
"And is mine one" said Abou?
"Ney no so replied" the Angel.
Abou spoke more low, but cheerily still and said,
"I pray thee then, write me as one who loves his fellow men".
The Angel wrote and vanished.
The next night it came again with a great wakening light
And showed teh names of those whom love of God had blessed
And lo, Ben Adams name led all the rest.
=============================

http://trewmte.blogspot.com/2009/02/god-is-wireless-scientist-too.html

I trust everyone had a great St George's Day, yesterday, 23rd April 2011
http://trewmte.blogspot.com/2010/04/st-georges-day-23rd-april.html

St George's Day 23rd April

St George's Day 23rd April

I was taken by surprise when I was asked recently why are we celebrating St George's Day? So rather than me stand on my soap box giving my version of events, I reproduce the information from St George's Day and LTH Hotels tourist information so that anyone not understanding why we celebrate the 23rd April every year in England will see the historical and cultural relevance. This day is in effect a proud day for English people.

St George is the patron saint of England. Saint George is celebrated on St. George's day which falls on 23 April every year. To celebrate St George's Day is to celebrate England itself: The history, culture and heritage that has created our nation. Patron saints are chosen as special protectors of life and culture. They're also a great excuse to have some fun!

Like England, every country in the UK has its own patron saint that in times of great threat is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. Legend says St George was a dragon-slaying knight and he was made patron saint of England in recognition of his great acts. St George is also a popular figure outside England in the countries: Portugal, Catalonia, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Macedonia and the Gora. His symbol, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's symbol was originally adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century.

Very little is known about the real St George. He is thought to have been born into a noble Christian family in the late third century in Turkey. He followed in his father's military footsteps and became part of the retinue of the Emperor Diocletian. St George was a brave soldier in the Roman army who died for his beliefs. The emperor ordered the systematic persecution of Christians and George protested against the Romans' torture of Christians. For that he left the Roman army. For leaving, he was tortured, executed in Palestine, and finally beheaded, becoming an early Christian martyr in 303.

St George was also adopted as the Saint of Battles. This was not only he was a soldier, but also because he is said to have appeared to the Christian army before the Battle of Antioch.

According to the legend, later created about Saint George, a dragon is terrorising the villages near Silena, in Libya, making its home in a nearby swamp. Its fiery breath caused destruction whenever it went near the city, so the people gave the monster two sheep every day to satisfy its hunger and to keep the peace. When the sheep disastrous, he demands the sacrifice of a beautiful maiden and when all the young girls have been killed, The King's daughter alone remains for the dragon. The Princess was taken to the swamp. St. George was riding by on his horse, and heard about this story, he was determined to try and save the princess, so the good knight stayed, and when the dragon appeared, St. George bravely attacked it. He kills the dragon with a single blow from his lance and the people were all converted to Christianity. He left the city telling the King to take good care of the churches, and to be kind to the poor.

On the 23rd April 2010 in England celebrating National Day will include a big parade through high streets with floats, music and dancing to attend a special St George's Day service at their local church. By tradition, April 23rd is the day for a red rose in the button hole, the national flower. Shakespeare's birthday falls on the same date, and the Globe Theatre will be having its usual big celebrations. There will be stalls and entertainment at the theatre, and the chance to get onto the stage and deliver a few lines. This event gets bigger every year, with pubs and private homes a riot of red and white bunting on the day. Alongside all the official celebrations, there will be parties going on at various London venues.

Thanks to St Georges Day website and tourist information from LTH Hotels for the images and historical review of St George's history.