Patrick’s day
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
Patrick was born in Wales, during the 4th century. When he was 16 years old, invaders kidnapped him, and took him to the other side of the sea where he stayed 6 years, working as a pastor.
He took comfort in religion and converted himself into Christianity. After having studying priesthood for 14 years, Patrick went back to Ireland where he built churches and spread Christianity for the next 30 years, till he dies, the 17th of March 460.
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide. Usually, everyone wears something green (Christian or not) and/or linked to the Gaelic culture: there are a lot of shows and we drink mostly Irish beverages: beers, Irish stout, such as Murphys, Harp or Guinness, whisky, cider…). They even have green beers.
@ Fiskal
But did you know that…
Irish people are not always happy to wear green. The Irish folklore considers that this color is bad luck because it was the favorite one of the Leprechaun and the legend says all the ones who wear a lot green will be kidnapped.
But what is the deal between Patrick and the shamrock?
@ mafleen
Patrick used this shamrock to explain Trinity Sunday mystery: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit = 3 distinct elements within a single entity. His disciples got used to wear a shamrock the day of his celebration.
Beside Irish culture celebration, Patrick’s day is also, and especially, originally, a Christian fair celebrated by the Christian church, Irish church and other Christian community. This day is always during the Lent.
The parade in Dublin lasts 5 days and brings together 500 000 people each year.
The biggest parade of this day happens in New York. Each year, more than 2 millions of people meet there to enjoy Patrick’s day. Others big parades happen all around the world: Manchester, Argentina, London…
