St. Patrick's Day - 17th March 2008

Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland.

St. Patrick is probably the most well known of the Patron Saints but factual information is very scarce and most of the stories associated with him are myths. From one of his own publications the 'Confession', a spiritual autobiography, it is almost certain he was born in the very early part of 400 AD into a fairly wealthy family in the North of England. He described himself as a 'most humble-minded man' and was continually thankful to God for choosing him to help turn people to Christianity and away from Paganism.

It is sometimes said that he is responsible for driving all the snakes out of Ireland, and whilst it is true that there are no snakes native to Ireland, it is far more likely that the island's split from the mainland in the last Ice Age is responsible for this. There are also those who saw it as proof that Paganism was being overtaken by Christianity because the snake was a Pagan symbol.

Whilst St. Patrick was not the first person to bring Christianity to Ireland he certainly was the most successful. His beginnings were far from promising and the one tale most likely to be true is how the Shamrock became associated with St. Patrick. In his sermons he used the little leaf to show that three items could be separate and yet be one thing associating it to the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The 17th March is believed to be the day St. Patrick died and as this is a religious holiday many people go to church in the morning before the serious celebrating begins. Praying for missionaries worldwide has also become traditional on this day. In keeping with the religious nature of the day most shops and businesses close, with the exception of the pubs and restaurants naturally.

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated wherever there is an Irish community and as Irish people have moved around the world they have taken their customs and history with them. They celebrate wholeheartedly especially in America where they hold parades and have Irish food and drink, but nowhere is the day more celebrated than in Ireland itself.

Friday, 25 July, 2008

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