From the 8th century, the place of worship in the village of Grez was placed under the patronage of Saint George. Popular traditions and religious processions have lasted since then.
Over time, the Saint George and the Dragon festivities have become an integral part of life in Grez. Here is some information to help you understand them better.
The earliest evidence of a sanctuary in the center of the village dates back to the 8th century. Saint George was already the village’s patron saint long before the Crusades. In the heart of the village, the present-day Saint George’s Church has retained a 12thcentury Romanesque tower. The rest of the building was rebuilt in the 18th century. The religious procession of Saint George is one of the oldest local traditions. It traditionally takes place on 23 April – Saint George’s Day – or on the Sunday following that date if the 23rd falls on a weekday. At the head of the procession, a scout from the Saint George unit carries the patron saint’s banner. They are followed by the statues of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Marcoul, Saint George, and the Blessed Sacrament, making their way through the village streets accompanied by schoolchildren and members of youth organisations, and escorted by the Grand Serment Royal des Arbalétriers de Saint-Georges de Grez-Doiceau. The rest of the procession pays homage to Count Werner of Grez, who set off on a crusade with his cousin Godfrey of Bouillon, during which he died. His knights and members of his court parade in grand costumes. A grand horse parade brings the procession to a close, after which the horses are blessed. Since the early 2000s, the Tourist Office has organized festivities spanning the entire Saint George’s Day weekend. These have become an unmissable event for the people of Grez- Doiceau. A market showcasing local produce and craftspeople, a flea market, artists, giants, a brass band and medieval activities bring the center of Grez to life, culminating in the battle of Saint George against the dragon, witnessed by Count Werner and his court.
Count Werner de Grez, the third of that name, also known as Garnier de Grez, belonged
to the powerful de Grez family of Brabant. He was one of Godfrey of Bouillon’s cousins.
In 1096 or 1097, Werner is said to have sold part of his lands, the allodium of Vaux, to the
neighboring church of Fosses, in order to finance his crusade expenses.
He was among the members of Godfrey of Bouillon’s army. His name is mentioned
several times in accounts relating to the various stages of the crusade. Present at
Godfrey’s side when he died in Jerusalem in 1100, he survived him by only a few weeks.
He was buried in the Valley of Josaphat, where he was given a funeral with full honors and
in accordance with Christian rites.
It was in the 1980s that the people of Grez-Doiceau honored their ancestor by inviting him
to take part in the St George’s Day procession every year.
According to legend, the Roman officer George of Lydda put an end to the actions of a
band of Persian raiders led by a man named Nahfr, whose name means ‘snake’ or
‘dragon’. He slew him with a single stroke of his sword, thereby restoring peace to the
region.
Over the centuries, this victorious battle became a symbol of good versus evil and
entered legend, giving rise to numerous folk traditions.
Since 2006, Grez has also had its own Dragon and its own battle. It is said that in days
gone by, to commemorate the marriage of Werner de Grez and his Lady, the people
organized a great festival every year in the heart of the village, in the presence of the
couple. On this occasion, minstrels and jugglers provided entertainment.
The dragon, drawn by this popular gathering, took the opportunity to leave its lair and
spread terror throughout the village. But Saint George was watching! After a fierce battle,
he finally defeated the dragon, which wounded, returned to its lair. Lord Werner then
thanked Saint George by knighting him for the coming year, until the dragon’s next
appearance!
And so it is that every year, a mischievous dragon winds its way through the village among
jugglers, djembe players and other street performers, before Saint George repeats his
feat before Werner, his court, and all the people of Grez-Doiceau gathered to celebrate
this joyful weekend.
AI Website Creator