Saint Patrick was the missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity in the late 300’s A.D.
Historical sources report that Saint Patrick was not even Irish! He was born around 373 A.D. in either Scotland or in Roman Britain (the Romans left Britain in 410 A.D.). His real name is believed to have been Maewyn Succat, but he changed it to Patrick after he became a priest. At the age of 16, while living in Ireland, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery.
During his 6-year captivity, he worked as a shepherd. He found strength in his faith. He finally escaped and made it to France, where he became a priest (and later a bishop).
When he was about 60 years old, St. Patrick traveled back to Ireland to spread the Christian word. He used the green shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, as a metaphor to explain the concept of the Trinity - father, son, and holy spirit. The Irish people embraced him. The old saint died in his beloved Ireland, March 17th, about 460 A.D. The land which once enslaved him, he had set free.
Today, Saint Patrick's Day is a basically a time to wear green and party. The first American celebration of Saint Patrick's Day was in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. As the saying goes, on this day "everybody is Irish!" Over 100 U.S. cities now hold Saint Patrick's Day parades, the largest held in New York City.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
2007-03-16 21:14:36
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Saint Patrick's day is about honoring the famous Irish Saint who converted the Pagan world to Christianity. Most people who celebrate the holiday don't seem to get the real message. I grew up in a Irish Catholic Christian family.
2016-02-14 23:17:20
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answer #2
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answered by Alan 1
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ITS ST-PATRICK'S DAY
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by many of non-Irish descent (usually in the US and Ireland), hence the phrase, "Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day." Celebrations are generally themed around all things green and Irish; both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food, imbibing Irish drink, and attending parades.
GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2007-03-16 21:14:34
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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