St George Martyr

Many Church Doctors and Fathers, such as St Peter Damian, St John Chrysostomus, St Basil, St Andrew of Crete etc. have always praised the spiritual gestures of St George Megalomartyr (AD 283-303), and preached about them in order to encourage all Christians in their daily spiritual struggles.

Since AD 303, an immense cult has grown around the historical figure of St George, which today is of a universal dimension and which has influenced all peoples, cultures and religions.

The Catholic Church, since immemorial times and till the present day, without any interruption or removal from its Universal Calendar, has kept April 23 as the day that commemorates this Universal Saint.

It is a marvel of marvels that in The Times of Tuesday, June 5, a certain Edward De Bono, from Zebbug, has tried to celebrate the canonisation of Saint Gorg Preca, by denying all these facts, departing from the false assertion that the Catholic Church has removed St George Martyr from its Universal Calendar.

I dare suggest to Mr De Bono the reading of my book Il-Princep tal-Martri, where he can check the true facts about St George. St Gorg Preca himself was proud to bear the name George which continually reminded him about his vocation to be a true "spiritual farmer" cultivating his personal spiritual field and the spiritual field of many others.