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St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the Irish. He was born about 385 A.D. in Northern Wales. He studied religion in Europe to become a priest and bishop. He then brought Christianity to the Irish by teaching in Ireland for 29 years. According to early Irish tradition, he died on March 17, 461 AD. The anniversary of his death is celebrated as Saint Patrick's Day.
An Irish tale tells of how Saint Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
Green is associated with Saint Patrick's Day because it is the color of spring, Ireland, and the shamrock.
Today St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 by the Irish as well as many countries and cultures with parades, parties, wearing of green, Irish songs and jigs. |
