The Feast of Saint George

This image of Saint George is from my father’s toy Sicilian cart from the 1950s. The hand-painted miniature is a prized family possession. You’ll see Saint George on many carts, especially the back support, because he protects the cart drivers and their horses. This weekend in the town of Piana degli Albanesi in Palermo province,…

Galloping through Modica

The Sangiuggiari, or devotees of Saint George in Modica, will process the statue of San Giorgio slaying a dragon through the town’s streets on Sunday, May 24. Confetti and fireworks annually mark the start of a winding parade during which faithful men carry the heavy statue on their shoulders–sometimes galloping to simulate the horse on…

The Pearl for Saint George

The magnificent cathedral in Modica, pictured, is dedicated to Saint George (c.275 – 303 AD). On Sunday in the UNESCO recognized Baroque town, for Saint George’s Day (which falls on April 23), devotees of “San Giorgio” celebrate the Christian martyr. Saint George grew up in the Middle East devoted to Jesus. The son of a…