He is a rain bringer and can make the land green and fertile. The name George comes from the Greek word for farmer (literally earth worker). Al Khader is Arabic for the Green One. He drank from the fountain of life and became ‘Ever green’. To get good harvests farmers go to Saint George’s Church in Al Khader where they make religious vows (promises), slaughter sheep and give donations.

He is still with us and can appear anytime. In Bethlehem if, over a short period of time, you keep meeting the same person at different places you might say they are like Saint George/Al Khader.

Young Children are sometimes told that thunder is Saint George/ Al Khader on his horse galloping across the sky.

He can cure insanity. There used to be a mental hospital next door to the church in Al Khader. Also there are chains in Saint George’s churches in Al Khader and in Lydda. The insane were sometimes left chained in the churches in the hope that this would cure them. Some people wear these chains when they pray in the churches.

He can protect from harm. That is why there are carvings of St. George above the doors of many homes in Palestine. When sheep are slaughtered behind Saint George’s church in Al Khader the blood is sometimes taken home and put upon the door to protect the family.

An interesting video on You Tube about St. George and his significance for Palestinians.

Leicestershire Holy Land Appeal