St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick is thought to have died on March 17, 461 and be buried in Downpatrick. He is the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick's Day was marked as an official Christian celebration in the 17th century, commemorating the fact that St. Patrick took Christianity to Ireland and spent much of his life serving the people there. It also celebrates the Irish people and culture. The day is observed in more countries than any other national festival.

Patrick was a fifth-century Roman-British citizen who became the bishop of Ireland. He was kidnapped when he was sixteen and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland, where he spend six years as a shepherd. He drew close to God during those years and, after escaping and finding his way home, he went on to become a priest. He chose to return to Ireland to convert the pagans there to Christianity. The legend that he drove the snakes out of Ireland is thought to refer to his opposition of Druidism, because Ireland never had snakes.

Today, parades, festivals, the wearing of green, and shamrocks mark the day. Some Christians also attend church services, and the restrictions of Lent are usually lifted for the one day, which has aided the day's reputation for alcohol consumption. However, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the day without it. So, top 'o the morning and happy St. Patrick's Day.

_____________________________________