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"You have been formed of three parts – body, breath, and mind. Of these, the first two are yours insofar as they are only in your care. The third alone is truly yours." – Marcus Aurelius

It's St George's Day here in England but, as usual, you wouldn't know. Unlike the saint's days of our neighbours (Andrew, David and, especially, Patrick) it seems unfashionable to celebrate it.

Maybe it's because he has no connection to England and doesn't instill any affection. Maybe it's because it's unfashionable to be proud to be English for fear of being branded xenophobic or, even worse, outright racist.

Perhaps it's because, despite all protestations, England is no longer a Christian country so to celebrate a saint leaves a bad taste in the mouth, not to mention not wanting to upset those of other religions. Some might argue that the far right organisations claiming the St George's Cross flag as their own has tainted the day but celebrations were in decline long before this.

The days of patron saints could simply be over but that's hard to reconcile when the actions of our neighbours suggest otherwise. England may just need another approach to patriotism.