on the 23rd of april each year, rio celebrates the saints day of são jorge, patron saint of the city.

the day was declared a state holiday in 2008, owing to the huge crowds of devotees and revelers celebrating the martyrdom of the turkish-born roman army captain who refused to kill Christians.

two of the most traditional churches in rio where to attend services in honor of sao jorge are Igreja São Gonçalo Garcia e São Jorge, in Praça da República and in the north zone of rio, in the Igreja Matriz de São Jorge, on Rua Clarimundo de Melo, in quintino bocaiuva.