England celebrates a patron saint who never actually visited the country
England's national identity is deeply tied to Saint George, a Roman soldier who likely never set foot on English soil and and whose legendary dragon-slaying was added centuries later.
Saint George was adopted as the patron saint of England in the 14th century, yet historical records suggest he was a soldier of Greek origin serving in the Roman guard in Anatolia. He was martyred in modern-day Israel around 303 AD for refusing to renounce his Christian faith.
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