Around the name day of St. George, which was celebrated on April 24 in Austria until the 1960s and is now celebrated almost everywhere on April 23, passionate riders organize horse pilgrimages – the so-called Georgiritte. The riders come together from afar and celebrate one of their two patron saints. The second, by the way, is Saint Leonhard, after whom the Leonhardiritte are named at the beginning of November.
George is also considered one of the 14 Holy Helpers in Christian mythology. After the parades, the focal point of the Georgiritte is usually a horse blessing.
After a four-year break, the traditional Georgiritt in Bad Ischl could finally be held again yesterday – as always organized by the local riding and driving club. “It’s obviously good for everyone – both the actors and the viewers – when the customs are breathed back into life after the Corona pandemic,” said an enthusiastic viewer.
Accompanied by the Weissenbach band, the decorated horses and carriages paraded through the imperial city of Bad Ischl in honor of St. George, from the bus terminal to the trotting track in the Kaltenbach district. There horses, riders and carriages were blessed in glorious spring weather. The riders were then able to demonstrate their skills by cutting a wreath.
In Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting in the Wels-Land district, many horse lovers gathered yesterday morning at the Wim branch church to celebrate the Georgiritt. After the big procession to the Georgskirche in Kösslwang with the participating clubs, fire brigade, band, gold hood women and community representatives, a horse blessing took place. The traditional Georgiritt was also held yesterday in Ampflwang (Vöcklabruck district). (gs)
Source: Nachrichten
