It is difficult to retrace the life of Saint Patrick, because no one is sure of the exactness of the events. Indeed, the punctuality of the facts is mixed up by a lot of legends. The historical marks are not sure and it is difficult to extract the reality of the facts. This is why it is said about Saint Patrick, what it is quite sure about him: Maewyn Succat (he adopted Patrick upon becoming a priest) was born in Scotland (in the Clyde Valley, near Dumbarton) between 385 and 390 (it is not sure, other documents tell us that he was born in 377, or 415). His parents were Calphurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britain. When he was sixteen years old, Irish pirates, under their leader, Niall of the Nine Hostages, abducted him. He was taken to Ireland, where he stayed as a slave during six years. He was working for a druid; he was a shepherd on the slopes of Slemish Mountain in Country Antrim, in Ulster. During this time, he prayed to the Christian God while captive in a pagan land. After six years, an angel came to him in a dream, prompting him to escape and seek out his homeland. After travelling for more than 200 miles by foot, he travelled eventually on a boat, across the Irish Sea. His first destination was Britain but he settled in Gaul and became a very religious person. He trained as a monk during twenty years in Marmoutier Abbey, and took the name of Patrick.
[...] They also formulate wishes and send postcards, decorated by a Leprechaun. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world, in the USA; more than a hundred of American cities have their own parade. Because of Irish Diaspora millions of American people would have Irish ancestors, one American on two. Festivities take place especially in New York and in New Jersey, where the most important communities are. Also, Chicago is an important place of Saint Patrick's festivities: a river is coloured in green. [...]
[...] Saint Patrick in the Irish tradition Like Saint Patrick is considered as Ireland's patron saint, Irish tradition is full of references to him. The shamrock is Ireland's symbol (but it is not the official, the official one is the Harp), because of the legend (Patrick used it to convert pagans). Like green is the colour of the shamrock, every year, the 17th of March, everybody wear green clothes. In some regions, people can pinch those who don't wear green. Also, some people hook a shamrock on their buttonhole. [...]
[...] Conclusion The religion brought fifteen centuries ago by Saint Patrick still has a lot of believers in Ireland. But, since 1737, beyond religious considerations, Saint Patrick's Day is above all a day when everybody celebrates the patron saint of Ireland. As Saint Patrick's Day is the only national holiday celebrated in more countries around the world than any other, this day is the one when everyone wants to be Irish. It is not a religious day like the others : Saint Patrick's Day seems to be more a carnival where everybody wear green clothes and want to have fun in the streets and in the pubs. [...]
[...] If we succeed in catching one, he grants us three wishes, and he also tells us, if he wants, where he hides his treasure. But Leprechauns are clever, and escape easily. Today, Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world by millions of people. Festive parades are headed all over the world, for no more sinister purpose than raising a glass to the saint and celebrating Irishness. Saint Patrick's Day The 17th of March, Saint Patrick's date of death, is the Irish national holiday. [...]
[...] The second one is that Saint Patrick used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to a pagan king, the king of Laoghaire (Tara), who became Christian, converted thanks to Saint Patrick and his shamrock. Indeed, Saint Patrick plucked a shamrock and tried to explain him that it had three leaves, just like God had three personas: The Father, The Son and the Holy Gost. This was called the Trinity. That is why the shamrock was traditionally worn in Ireland as a symbol of the cross. [...]
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