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.

in a notable example of the cross-pollination of european and african traditions and beliefs in brazil, a practice called syncretism, são jorge is also venerated in african religions umbanda and candomblé, as the god of metals, ogum.