The History of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, also known as the Feast of St. Patrick, is a Christian holiday celebrated on March 17, the day that St. Patrick, a saint of Ireland, died. It is a big part of the High Holy Season and is widely celebrated in countries like Ireland, Britain, the USA, Canada, and also all over the Oceania continent.

The holiday is celebrated by wearing green, having feasts, festivals, and decorating with shamrocks. Shamrocks are symbolic to the Druids of Ireland since they have three leaves, three being a mystical number in that region. The shamrock is also a strong symbol of rebellion in Christian culture. St. Patrick’s Day is also recognized for removing the Christian month of Lent’s restrictions on drinking alcohol and fasting.

The story of St. Patrick’s Day goes like this: Saint Patrick was a missionary and bishop in Ireland. When he was sixteen years old, he was kidnapped by raiders and enslaved. Saint Patrick spent six years in slavery working as a shepherd. During his time as a slave, Saint Patrick found God, who told him to run away from the coast of Gaelic Ireland, where he was enslaved, for there would be a ship waiting to bring him home. When Saint Patrick got back, he would become a priest. Saint Patrick would die on the 17th of March, being buried in the town of Downpatrick. Saint Patrick went on to become Ireland’s most important saint in their culture.

                                                How does your family celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? (If you do.) Comment down below!

Works Cited

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day

https://www.finegardening.com/article/the-history-of-the-shamrock?srsltid=AfmBOoprf6_nSnHgSIvxvbLikJ0rXviYF406_1pjgeR7BiIkdsLUspXq