Loading ...With its associations of courage, gallantry and honour, the Christian name, George, remains one of the most common in the Palestinian Territories.
Other variants are Khadr (Arabic for “green one”) and Jeries.
In a Bethlehem coffee shop known locally as “Abu George” [the father of George], I sit with members of the Thalgieh family, who are all called George.
“Maybe we have 10 people [named George] until now. Perhaps in the future we will reach 100,” says George Elias Saba Thalgieh.
“Here in Bethlehem, it’s not just our family. We all believe that St George will help us when we need him. If you have an accident the first thing you say is ‘Ya Khadr’ – it means we are calling for St George to help us.
“I love the name. Our grandfather is George, I am George so now my sons will name their sons George,” adds the older man’s nephew, George Nabil George Thalgieh, a well-known singer.
Anticipating this year’s St George’s Day, the two generations join in a traditional verse.
“Oh, St George we pray at al-Khadr,” go the lyrics. “We are the Christians with the candles in our hands.”
There are a number of customs associated with the saint.
Sometimes the Greek Orthodox priest is asked to insert a key into the mouth of children with speech difficulties, turning it to “unlock” their tongues.
There is a ritual in which visitors put a chain around their neck, pass it over their body and kiss it three times. This is thought to ward off sickness.
Letters asking St George to solve family disputes are placed inside the glass that covers his icon.
People appealing to the saint for help also give sheep to the church so it can distribute meat to the poor.
Some Palestinian Muslims, especially those from al-Khadr, also follow the practices.
“It’s not only the Christians that appreciate him, the Muslims also feel the power and the miracles of St George,” says Father Ananias.
“When the church was built [in the Byzantine period] the neighbours were Christians. I don’t know when the local people became Muslims, but under the Turkish [Ottomans] they protected the monastery and remained very close.”
An old woman wearing a traditional embroidered dress and the Islamic veil tells me: “We all believe in al-Khadr, even my husband. I made a vow to light a candle in al-Khadr church.”
Many Muslim scholars suggest that a servant of God mentioned in the Koran as an associate of Moses, refers to the figure of al-Khadr, who is identified with St George.
In the 1,700 years or so since his death, the saint has also become identified with other figures, some historical and some mythical.
The legend of him saving a maiden by killing a dragon probably originated in the Middle Ages.
Although many details of his life remain unclear, Palestinians see him as having set a powerful example for helping the needy and bravely standing up for one’s beliefs.
It is this reputation that has also made him popular around the world.