St. Georg's old church on Lake Constance: help needs to preserve!

St. Georg's old church on Lake Constance: help needs to preserve!

Wasserburg am Bodensee, Deutschland - On June 15, 2025, the patron saint of scouts, Saint George, will be celebrated in many parts of the world. Georg is considered a martyr and has its origin in the region of today's Türkiye. But what makes him so special? Legend tells that he defeated a kite, but how historically is this story really? However, the dragon struggle and the subsequent liberation of a king's daughter are only part of the fascinating stories that arise around his name. These persistently stay in the minds of people, even if many of them are not based on historical facts.

In the city of Wasserburg on Lake Constance there is a church that was built in the 8th century in honor of Saint George. At that time, there was a lot of hope of his protective attitude. But the years do not go by venerable buildings without a trace: the church has suffered from the weather conditions and urgently needs repairs. Unfortunately, there is a lack of financial means to carry out the necessary maintenance work. Therefore, the municipality is dependent on donations that are collected on the website donenden.kirche-am-see.de

The meaning of Saint Georg

The veneration of St. George is deeply rooted in the tradition of Christians, and he is honored by many bishops. Churches all over the world have its name and its memory is maintained in many cultures. The scouts, for which Georg is the patron, have the goal of doing a good deed every day.

In the legends around Georg, a kite that threatened the city of Lasia is often reported. According to these stories, the monster demanded animals as victims every day, and when the supplies went out, the dragon finally demanded human sacrifices. Georg, who heard of this misfortune, offered his help and promised the citizens an unusual deal: if he defeated the kite, they would be baptized and converted to Christianity.

The way to the martyr

Before Georg entered history, he lived with his mother in Palestine after his father had died. He joined the Roman army and served as a rider. At a time when the Roman Empire was attacked by many sides, Emperor Diocletian ordered the persecution of the Christians. Georg, known for his unshakable faith, countered the persecution and warned of the consequences. This steadfastness finally led to his brutal torture and his martyrdom.

After Georg's death, Christianity began to gain the growing influence in the Roman Empire, especially when Constantine raised religion to the Reich religion. This happened not least thanks to the heroic deeds and the victim of Georg, whose memory is still preserved by the faithful.

In another Christian context, there is the fascinating legend of the seven sleepers of Ephesus, which were buried alive and were brought back to life by God 200 years later. This story illustrates how the mystery of faith and conviction among the believers can remain alive for centuries. The legend and the associated traditions are anchored in many cultures and show that the phenomenon of faith has universal features.

In this festive time in June, it is important to remember the ideals and acts of such historical figures as St. George that attach us to the power of faith and community. So let's show our support and we donate to the preservation of these historical sites and traditions.