Saint George's Day was celebrated on April 23, 2026, with a state holiday in Rio de Janeiro and in some municipalities that have the saint as their patron. Saint George is venerated in both Catholicism and African-matrix religions, where he is associated with the orixá Ogum through religious syncretism.
Saint George is considered the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro and his veneration in Brazil occurs both in Catholicism and in religions of African origin through religious syncretism. During the colonial period, African slaves associated their deities with Catholic saints to express their faith, connecting Saint George to the orixá Ogum.
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (4)
April 23 has been a state holiday in Rio de Janeiro since 2008
Emperor Diocletian published an edict of persecution against Christians in 303
Conflicting versions (1)
Date of Saint George's canonization
No gaps declared — all sources converge on the material facts.