The History Of Stpatricksday - article by Reports and Reviews

The History Of St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick was thought to have been born Maewyn Succat approximately between 373 and 390 AD. Patricius was his Romanicized name, later known familiarly as Patrick. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery when he was a young boy and was brought to Ireland. He dreamt of having seen God and became dedicated to God after he escaped his captors. He joined a monastery in France and became a bishop. Later, he returned to Ireland to spread the teachings of God. He helped to convert the Irish to Christianity.

Patrick spent his lifetime traveling through Ireland spreading the word of God and establishing monasteries along the way. He helped to set up schools and churches and fostered the growth of Christianity. Patrick died on March 17, AD 461. In the years following his death he became a legendary figure in Irish history. By the 7th century there were many legends associated with Patrick. It is said that St. Patrick used a shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity to others. The three leaves stood for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This has brought a strong connection between the Shamrock and St. Patrick's Day. Another legend says that St. Patrick put the curse of God into all the snakes and drove them into the sea, thus explaining why there are no snakes in Ireland.

St. Patrick's day was originally a Catholic holy day to commemorate St. Patrick's death. It was originally known as the Catholic Feast Day. Through the centuries the day has evolved to a more secular holiday. It is celebrated in many countries around the world. Today, the holiday of St. Patrick's Day is a happy event characterized by people wearing green. The color green is associated with St. Patrick's Day and with Ireland because Ireland is called the Emerald Isle. It got this distinctive name because of the lush green rolling countryside that makes up most of this land. Ireland is actually a large island, surrounded on all sides by water.

Modern St. Patrick's Day celebrations include parades and parties. People wear green to signify that they are Irish or just to partake in the holiday. Festivities include singing Irish songs, doing Irish dances and eating traditional Irish foods. Children celebrate the holiday at school by decorating their classroom with green shamrocks and wearing green clothes. Adults may go to an Irish pub for some green ale. Many Irish style pubs offer beer or ale that is colored green for the occasion.

St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated for many centuries and is a custom that is known the world over. People with Irish bloodlines take this special day to celebrate their heritage.

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