Saint George's Online Activities

Some online activities for St. George Day.

• A multiple choice quiz about the legend of St. George
• Another multiple choice quiz
• Put the words in alphabetical order
• A spelling and matching activity
• A word search puzzle
• A describing and matching game

Saint George Day Facts

St George's Day is celebrated on 23rd April each year. It's also a good time to think about one of England's most famous men, William Shakespeare, who was not only born on 23rd April 1564 but also died on 23rd April 1616.

St George (famous for slaying the dragon) is the patron saint of England. He was a Roman soldier who protested against the Roman torture of Christians, and was killed for his beliefs. He is most famous for the story of his fight against the dragon. 

Sant Jordi (St George) was named the patron saint of Catalonia in 1456, although he had been venerated here from the eighth century.

For this festival it is traditional to give a rose and a book to one you love. The tradition of giving a rose comes from the medieval custom of celebrating a Rose Fair in Barcelona. April 23rd is the day when William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, very significant writers, died, both in 1626. So, Spain’s Day of the Book was changed in 1930 from October 7th to this date.

• To listen to the story of Saint George and read the text: Storynory.

The Legend of Saint George

Many years ago there was a soldier called George who lived in a country called Turkey. He sailed across the seas to Libya where he met an old man who told him that the people of the village were scared of a terrifying dragon. Every day they had to offer a young maiden to the dragon. By that time, there weren't young girls in the village but the king’s daughter, who was to be sacrificed at sunset.

The king said that whoever killed the dragon could marry his daughter. George wanted to save her so he decided to go to the dragon’s cave to fight it.

The princess was already standing before the dragon's cave, pretending to be brave, when George rode by on his horse. As soon as the dragon saw him it rushed from its cave, roaring with a sound louder than thunder. But George was not afraid. He chased the dragon and threw a spear at it that broke into a thousand pieces because of its tough scales.  George hid behind a tree to catch his breath but the dragon saw it and roared at him and its fire melted George’s shield.

With his sword in his hand, George rushed at the dragon and pierced it under the wing where there were no scales, so that it fell dead at his feet. Then, the princess married him and the villagers, impressed with his bravery, were converted to Christianity.

St. George & the Dragon

To celebrate St. George we are going to work with a group called Toto and its song called St. George and the dragon. Have an eye at this video clip featuring the song:



And here you have the lyrics of the song:

Can you tell me where i might find the hydra
is he wearing a familiar face
does he still live below seventh avenue
with the princess dipped in lace

Does he know that I'm a soldier of fortune
and not a victim of circumstance
we drew lots for his soft underbelly
now his fate is sealed with my lance

Chorus:
I can tell by the look in your eye
you've never seen the man with nothing to say
i can tell by the look in your eye
you'd better watch yourself St. George is on his way

Is it true that he's a mighty warrior
and a viper of the first degree
i've been sentenced here to slay the giant
geld this fear i cannot see

Chorus

Can you tell me where i might find the hydra
is he wearing a familiar face
does he still live below seventh avenue
in the slums of Satan's grace

Chorus

I can tell by the, I can tell by the (x3)
I can tell by the look in your eye

Saint George Clips

Some short films to illustrate the legend of Saint George. The second one has a surprising ending...