Better than St George

  I associate different months with different things.  These can relate to climate (August: hot and sultry; October: cold nights with warm days and there are golden leaves) or the connection may be with events (November is a month of bonfires and fireworks).

  April brings me many images and associations - not least because it is the month of Julia’s and my wedding anniversary, and of my mother's birthday.  It is usually the month in which Easter falls - and it is a month of showers, daffodils and spring colour in the garden.

  Some say that the source of the word ‘April’ comes from the Latin word ‘aperire’, meaning ‘to open’.  In many ways, April feels more like the start of a new year than January does and indeed, it marks the start of the tax year.

  April was once the second month of the year -- before January and February were added by the second King of Rome, Numa Pompilius, in around 700BC.  It became the fourth month of the calendar year when 12 months are displayed in order in about 450BC.

  April is also the month of the Feast of St George, the patron saint of England.  April 23rd is believed to be date of his death at the hands of the Romans in 303.  England shares him - as patron saint - with, among others, Bosnia, Catalonia, Serbia, Georgia and Macedonia, sheep, saddle makers and soldiers!

  George was probably from Northern Turkey.  According to legend, there was once a dragon which was terrorising the nation and had to be offered a regular sacrifice to keep it calm.  On one occasion, the king's daughter was destined to be the sacrifice. Just in time, George managed to stab the dragon with his lance, capture it and save her.  He then promised to kill the dragon if the people would put their trust in Jesus.  The people agreed; the dragon was killed, and 15,000 men were baptised.  George refused all rewards and asked that the poor be cared for instead.

  George has been held up as a role model of bravery in the face of evil; dedication to duty, and as the one who brought faith to many through his actions, although even the greatest historians have been unable to confirm the story of the dragon.

  St George died for his faith but, if I look for things that reaffirm my trust and faith in God during April, I prefer to stick to the facts.  I look at the fresh start in the garden; the budding flowers and growing blossom.  In them, I see the undeniable beauty of God; the unquestionable creative genius of God and his constant renewing of his world and our spirit, just as we have celebrated the greatest reminder of God's renewing power: another fact, not legend - the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 by Graham Clarke.