WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Ask Staten Islanders about St. George and most people will refer to Bay St., the Staten Island Ferry, and various tourist attractions such as The Staten Island Cultural Information and Tourist Center, and the Staten Island Museum. But the name, St. George, like many other names assigned to various parts of the Island, is rich in history and lore.
England, where many Islanders trace their roots, has honored St.George since the eighth century; a curious phenomenon since St. George was born in Cappadocia in the eastern part of Asia Minor. April 23rd is the day set aside for the celebration, which at one time was second only to Christmas as a feast day.
There are many St. George Societies in America, as well as England; the first society met in 1729, in Philadelphia and was attended by the Englishmen of the city. This society was succeeded in 1772 by the "Society of the Sons of St. George, established at Philadelphia for the Advice and Assistance of Englishmen in Distress." Members included Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, and Governor William Penn. St.George's Day was celebrated annually until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, and not resumed until the latter part of the eighteenth century.
On April 23, 1910, St.George's Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City held a pageant in honor of the day and re-enacted the slaying of the dragon by St.George. The dragon used in the pageant was the one that had been used in the presentation of "Rheingold" at the Metropolitan Opera House, and was so realistic that it frightened young children.
The traditions surrounding St. George are legion, but actual facts are few. A decree by Pope Gelacius around 495 AD includes him among the many saints "whose names are reverenced among men, but whose actions are known only to God." One legend identifies St. George with a disreputable bishop, George of Cappadocia, and chaims that he was somehow transformed into the "renowned George of England, the patron of arms, chivalry and the garter." However, most scholars refute this, saying that the worship of St. George dates back much further. When St.George's fame reached England in the eighth century, his heroic deeds were translated into Anglo-Saxon and churches were dedicated in his honor.
Of course, the best known legend of St. George is the epic of the dragon slaying. This tremendous, fierce beast ravaged the country around Selina, a city in Libya, and made its lair in a marsh on the outskirts of the city. The people fed it two sheep each day to satiate its huge hunger, and to hopefully keep the dragon from venturing beyong the marsh.
When sheep were unavailable a human sacrifice was necessary and this was done by lottery. As luck would have it, the lot fell one day to the King's treasured daughter. The king, being a fair man, offered a high price to buy a substitute, but the townspeople wouldn't hear of it. The young girl was dressed as a bride and led to the marsh. St.George happened to be riding by and asked the maiden what she was doing. She told him and begged him to leave before the dragon them both. St. George declined to leave and as the dragon roared out its hunger, he made the sign of the cross and fought the beast. It was a long and brutal battle, but finally St.George transfixed the dragon with his spear. He tied the maiden's girdle around the neck of the helpless monster and the girl led it like a lamb back to Selina where St. George later beheaded it. After calming the fears of the townspeople, and refusing money from the King, St. George asked only that the people be converted and baptized. Legend holds that 20,000 people complied.
According to the story, St. George continued on his journey to Palestine and arrived just as the Edict of Diocletian, ordering all Christians and Clergy to sacrifice to the pagan gods, was being posted at the Temple and market places. St.George furiously tore the edict down and trampled it beneath his feet, causing his arrest and torture. His tormentors tried to poison him with tainted wine, but he drank it unharmed. Next, they bound him to a wheel, but two angels came and broke the wheel. Then, in desperation, they tried to sacrifice him to their heathen idols, but St. George prayed to God and the temple was destroyed by lightening. However, when the Proconsul ordered him beheaded, St. George placed his head on the executioner's block and was killed. Today, his cross, which is red, is still represented on the English flag.
And that is the legend of St. George, a good story to remember when stuck in traffic driving through the town of St. George. Count to ten and look out across the bay, and imagine the ferry as a large fire-breathing dragon with incredible bad breath. Then picture St. George galloping down Bay St., lance held high, and envision him slaying the mighty dragon, and riding off into the sunset. It beats honking and swearing at fellow drivers.
