When is St George’s Day?
In 2026, St George’s Day falls on Monday, November 23, 2026. It is classified here as a Georgian public holiday.
History of St George’s Day
Giorgoba, Saint George’s Day, honours the soldier-martyr Saint George, whose image and name have an exceptional place in Georgian religious culture. The saint appears in churches, icons and folklore across the country, and the very English name Georgia has long been associated—though not straightforwardly derived—with his fame.
Georgia observes November 23 as a statutory holiday. The feast is devotional rather than nationalistic in its core practice: liturgy, candles, prayer and family visits are more typical than large civic spectacle. It nevertheless carries a powerful cultural resonance because Saint George is widely regarded as a protector of the Georgian people.
November 23 corresponds to November 10 on the Julian calendar and commemorates the martyrdom of Saint George. Georgian tradition also marks another Giorgoba in spring, but only the November feast appears in the Labour Code’s statutory list. That distinction prevents a common calendar error: not every major ecclesiastical commemoration of the same saint is a nationwide work-free day. Saint George’s exceptional prominence is visible in medieval churches and local shrine traditions, yet the country’s English name is not securely explained as a simple derivation from the saint.
How St George’s Day is observed
A nationwide statutory holiday on November 23. Churches hold Giorgoba services; public offices close and local schedules vary. Only the November 23 Giorgoba is statutory nationwide; the law provides no automatic weekday substitute after a weekend. Article 30 permits a different rest day instead only when it is determined by the employment agreement.
Traditions of St George’s Day
Giorgoba liturgy
Churches hold services for Saint George and worshippers light candles before icons. Georgian Giorgoba draws worshippers to numerous local churches and shrines named for Saint George, creating strong regional pilgrimage patterns.
Family meals
Families visit relatives and share a meal after church or prayer. Georgian Giorgoba draws worshippers to numerous local churches and shrines named for Saint George, creating strong regional pilgrimage patterns.
Pilgrimage
Revered churches and shrines dedicated to Saint George receive visitors. Georgian Giorgoba draws worshippers to numerous local churches and shrines named for Saint George, creating strong regional pilgrimage patterns.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Georgian legal and official guidance. Religious-calendar dates and local-service schedules should be confirmed against the annual official calendar.
History sources: Legislative Herald of Georgia: Labour Code, Article 30, National Parliamentary Library of Georgia: Public Holidays, Legislative Herald: Constitutional Agreement with the Georgian Orthodox Church.
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