Stpatrick - article by Reports and Reviews

Who Was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick was born in the later part of the 4th century. Although he is an Irish hero of sorts, he was not born in Ireland. Instead, he was thought to have been born in Scotland or England. His given name was most likely Maewyn Succat but was given the name Patricius as his Romanicized name. Later he became commonly known as Patrick.

When Patrick was a boy he was kidnapped by pirates. They took him to Wales and eventually sold him into slavery in Ireland. He spent 6 years imprisoned. During this time he dreamt of seeing God and that God showed him an escape on a ship. Eventually he did escape and spent time in Britain and France where he became a bishop, dedicating his life to the teachings of God. Finally, he had another dream where he was told to return to Ireland to teach the Irish people about God and Christianity.

Patrick returned to Ireland and spent 20 years traveling through the country spreading the teachings of God and starting schools and monasteries. He helped to convert the Irish people to Christianity. He helped develop a native clergy who also set out to help convert people to Christianity. Patrick died on March 17, 461 AD. During the next several centuries, legends about Patrick and his teachings developed and he was made a patron saint of Ireland.

Throughout the years there have been some legends associated with St. Patrick. The Shamrock is closely associated with St. Patrick. The Shamrock, a three-leaf clover growing wild in the Irish countryside, is said to have been used by St. Patrick to help teach the Trinity. Each of the three leaves represented the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Shamrocks are still considered lucky Irish symbols and their image can be found on anything and everything, especially anything denoting St. Patrick's Day.

St. Patrick is also said to have driven snakes from Ireland. Legend has it that St. Patrick used God to help him get rid of evil, poisonous snakes. He was able to drive them from Ireland into the sea, where they drowned. This is why Ireland doesn't have any snakes.

St. Patrick's day became a religious holiday to celebrate the life of St. Patrick. The day was originally called Christian Feast day but was eventually changed to St. Patrick's Day. The day involved feasting on traditional Irish food and drinking beer and ale. The celebration has evolved to become a festival of anything Irish. Those of Irish heritage wear green, eat traditional Irish meals and celebrate their love or Ireland. St. Patrick has come to be known as the most famous Irishman who ever lived. He is celebrated each year not only in Ireland, but also throughout the world on March 17.

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