Syncretism between Saint George and Ogum - Are they the same person?

Did you know that both Saint George's and Ogum's days are celebrated on the same day? Why do people relate these two entities? Are they the same person?

In this article we will explain the syncretism between this saint of the Catholic Church and the orixá worshiped in Umbanda and Candomblé.

What is syncretism?

Syncretism is the mixing of different doctrines that retain traces of the original doctrines. A strong moment of syncretism was the arrival of the slaves in Brazil.

The slaves brought with them the African culture and its religions, which enabled the creation of Umbanda and Candomblé in Brazilian territory. However, their beliefs were forbidden and they were forced to go through a process of catechization. At that time, only the Catholic Christian belief was allowed.

Cleverly, to maintain their faith in their native gods, the slaves began to make associations. Thus, they invoked the orixás through images of the Catholic saints: Oxóssi in the form of Saint Sebastian, Iansã as Saint Barbara, Oxalá as Jesus Christ, Ossain as Saint Benedict, Ogum as Saint George, and so on. Each of the 16 orixás corresponds to one or more Catholic saints.

This strategy used by the slaves succeeded in keeping the faith of these people alive and increasing their strength to fight for better days.

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Syncretism between the Orixá Ogum and Saint George

Ogum is a fearless, warrior orixá, associated with battles and fights. Overcoming, leadership, and victory are always present in his legends. Inspiring strength, Ogum is considered the perfect warrior, virile, who is always ready for combat and to emerge victorious.

Thus, the association with St. George was almost automatic. The very representation of St. George, who appears on a horse, with armor and spear, reminds us of combat. The saint was a soldier in the Roman Army. He rose through the ranks and became an officer.

Because of Ogum's association with St. George, his day is also celebrated on April 23rd.

For St. George, Catholics wear red, the color of the saint's martyrdom, light candles in front of his image, and set off fireworks in commemoration.

Candomblecists and Umbandaists, on the other hand, have sheds where they serve a special breakfast table. In front of this table, a whole ritual follows, such as a moment of silence that represents a passage in Ogum's life. Red is also the color of Ogum, not because of martyrdom, but because of the element of fire.

Are Ogum and Saint George the same?

Today, syncretism is not well accepted by practitioners of Umbanda and Candomblé, because these religions are increasingly independent, mature, and professing their own faith.

Thus, not all practitioners of the African matrix religions agree with the statement that Ogum is the same as Saint George.

The same happens with Catholics. They don't even make this association because they would be worshiping a god from a pagan animist cult.

Another difference is that unlike Catholic saints, the orixás are entities with virtues and defects. Their followers also believe that they know the destiny of each mortal.

Ogum has a totally different nature of spiritual energy than St. George, so it is not possible that they are the same person.

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Similarities between Saint George and Ogum

Both the saint and the orixá are warriors and justice. Saint George is the protector of soldiers, the military and blacksmiths. He is the man of the Army of God, who faced a dragon with his horse and would face the beasts of hell to defend the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ogum is the orixá that goes to the front in a battle. He is fearless and fearless. It was Ogum who taught men to work with iron and fire. He is represented by a sword. He uses it to quickly help those who invoke him.

Saint George and Ogum are used to open paths, drive away enemies, and solve problems of injustice against their faithful.

If you want breach in your life, you can say the St. George prayer to open paths while taking a bath with St. George's bath salt.

If you are being wronged The best is to ask Ogum for help by praying with all your faith this prayer here.

To ward off enemies It will give you protection and prevent negative energies from reaching you.

Story of Saint George the Warrior and Ogum

Saint George

St. George was born in 275 B.C. in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. His father was a soldier and died in battle. After the death of his father, George and his mother, named Lydda, moved to the Holy Land.

George's mother was born in Palestine. She was a woman who was educated and had many possessions, so George was able to get a very good education.

With a combative temperament, the saint became a military man, quickly becoming a captain in the Roman Army. George possessed skill with weapons and great dedication.

St. George died on April 23, 303, after fighting against Emperor Diocletian's decision to eliminate Christians. He was tortured and beheaded for refusing to abandon the Christian faith.

Ogum

According to African mythology, Ogum's first appearance was as a hunter, whose name was Tobe Ode. He was the first orixá to come from heaven to earth with the purpose of living among men.

He is still the last Igbá Imolé, a group of about 200 right-wing orixás. They acted in disagreement with Olodumaré's judgment and were therefore destroyed by him. After this occurred, Ogum was charged with leading another group of 400 left-wing orixás, the Irun Imole.

Still according to mythology, Ogum was responsible for teaching men how to forge iron and steel to make levers, axes, shovels, hoes, picks, swords, and knives.

This warrior is regarded as the eldest son of Oduduwa The belief tells that Ogum's father became blind, leaving his son responsible for leading the city of Ifé.

During his leadership, he was involved in numerous disputes against neighboring kingdoms, which he always conquered, providing him with rich spoils. This made him known for his warlike nature. Learn the complete history of Ogum.