Saint Patrick's Day is an Irish festival celebrated all over the world. People celebrate being Irish on the 17th of March, and invite everybody else to be Irish for the day too with parades, music and parties.
St. Patrick is the beloved patron saint of Ireland. He was born in Britain and at the age of 16 was captured by Irish raiders who attacked his family's estate. He was then transported to Ireland where he was held captive for six years, living a solitary, lonely life as a shepherd. It was then that he became a devout Christian, embracing his religion for solace. From his writing, we know that a voice, which he believed to be God’s, spoke to him in a dream, urging him to leave Ireland. He did. Walking nearly 200 miles, Patrick escaped to Britain and undertook seriously religious training.
After 15 years of study, Patrick was ordained as a priest and sent to Ireland. His mission was to minister to Christians and to convert the Irish pagans to Christianity.
Celebration, traditions and symbols
On St Patrick's Day it is customary to wear shamrocks and/or green clothing or accessories (the "wearing of the green"). St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. The colour green has been associated with Ireland since at least the 1640s, when the green harp flag was used by the Irish Catholic Confederation.
Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals . St Patrick's Day parades began in North America in the 18th century but did not spread to Ireland until the 20th century.
Another Saint Patrick's Day Symbol is the leprechaun. A leprechaun is an Irish fairy who looks like a small, old man about 2 feet tall. He is often dressed like a shoemaker, with a crooked hat and a leather apron.
According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly. They live alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also have a hidden pot of gold! Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If the leprechaun is caught, he can be threatened with bodily violence to tell where his treasure is, but the leprechaun's captors must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun - he's known to trick them into looking away - he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.
Today, St Patrick's Day celebrations abound. Decidedly less religious, St Patrick's Day celebrations continue to be a show of Irish strength and patriotism. So, get your green and get ready to celebrate!
St. Patrick is the beloved patron saint of Ireland. He was born in Britain and at the age of 16 was captured by Irish raiders who attacked his family's estate. He was then transported to Ireland where he was held captive for six years, living a solitary, lonely life as a shepherd. It was then that he became a devout Christian, embracing his religion for solace. From his writing, we know that a voice, which he believed to be God’s, spoke to him in a dream, urging him to leave Ireland. He did. Walking nearly 200 miles, Patrick escaped to Britain and undertook seriously religious training.
After 15 years of study, Patrick was ordained as a priest and sent to Ireland. His mission was to minister to Christians and to convert the Irish pagans to Christianity.
Celebration, traditions and symbols
On St Patrick's Day it is customary to wear shamrocks and/or green clothing or accessories (the "wearing of the green"). St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. The colour green has been associated with Ireland since at least the 1640s, when the green harp flag was used by the Irish Catholic Confederation.
Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals . St Patrick's Day parades began in North America in the 18th century but did not spread to Ireland until the 20th century.
Another Saint Patrick's Day Symbol is the leprechaun. A leprechaun is an Irish fairy who looks like a small, old man about 2 feet tall. He is often dressed like a shoemaker, with a crooked hat and a leather apron.
According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly. They live alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also have a hidden pot of gold! Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If the leprechaun is caught, he can be threatened with bodily violence to tell where his treasure is, but the leprechaun's captors must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun - he's known to trick them into looking away - he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.
Today, St Patrick's Day celebrations abound. Decidedly less religious, St Patrick's Day celebrations continue to be a show of Irish strength and patriotism. So, get your green and get ready to celebrate!
Glossary
Beloved Dearly loved.
Raider A person who attacks an enemy in the enemy’s territory.
Shepherd A person who tends and rears sheep
Solace Comfort or consolation in a time of great distress or sadness
Crooked Bent or twisted out of shape or out of place.
Aloof Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
Vanish Disappear suddenly and completely
Abound Exist in large numbers or amounts.
Strength The quality or state of being physically strong/ The degree of intensity of a feeling or belief.
Fairy A small imaginary being of human form that has magical powers.
Beloved Dearly loved.
Raider A person who attacks an enemy in the enemy’s territory.
Shepherd A person who tends and rears sheep
Solace Comfort or consolation in a time of great distress or sadness
Crooked Bent or twisted out of shape or out of place.
Aloof Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
Vanish Disappear suddenly and completely
Abound Exist in large numbers or amounts.
Strength The quality or state of being physically strong/ The degree of intensity of a feeling or belief.
Fairy A small imaginary being of human form that has magical powers.