Who Is Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick is one of the most important figures in Ireland — in fact, he is the patron saint of this country. But there are a few things about him you might want to learn.
Saint Patrick
As with many other people and events that happened over a millennia ago, there are different theories about Saint Patrick as well, including the dates of his life. The only thing we can say with certainty is that he lived during the fifth century and that he is one of the most important figures of all time.
In his writings, he explained how he was captured by Irish pirates and enslaved for six years. It was during this time that he found the Lord that helped him discover spirituality. Prayers and devotion helped him through these six years, and when he escaped, he went to Britain to help other people. After going back home, Saint Patrick had a vision that inspired him to go to Ireland and be a missionary.
One of the most important things he did in his life is that he helped Irish people connect with Christianity. Whether Christianity was as strong in Ireland before Saint Patrick or not is a mystery. But there is no denying that he played an important role in teaching and educating people in Ireland. He incorporated Irish customs with Christianity, allowing people to keep their history while moving on to something better at the same time. It is no wonder that Saint Patrick became the Apostle of Ireland.
Why Do We Celebrate St. Patrick
Saint Patrick managed to overcome problems in his life. He managed to escape his captors and teach people about Christianity. It is rather impressive how much he knew about Irish people and their culture. He incorporated elements of Irish culture and history into Christianity. One of the most obvious examples is adding the sun, a powerful Irish symbol, into the Christian Cross, creating what is known today as the Celtic cross.
Legends and Legacy of Saint Patrick
When you have such an important historical figure, people will start making up stories about them. There are many legends about Saint Patrick that have been around for generations. One of the most popular stories is how Saint Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. These stories appeared in the seventh century. However, the third-century geographer Gaius Julius Solinus noted that there are no snakes in Ireland.
Other legends include his staff that grows into a living tree, and how Saint Patrick was able to talk to ancient Irish warriors. Since there aren’t many reliable sources about his life, poets and writers took the liberty of adding details on their own. This only shows how important and popular Saint Patrick has become. At the same time, it doesn’t affect his greatness and importance for the people across the globe.
His legacy will always be educating people in Ireland, and today, he is a symbol of this country. Many people understand how important he is, and they celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with Irish people. It is worth mentioning that Eastern Orthodox Church started celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, and he is recognized as one of the most important saints.
Saint Patrick’s Day
Often, there will be concerts where bands will play Irish (or Irish-inspired) music, and everyone will have a great time. Famous landmarks across the globe are decorated with shamrocks and lit-up green. Christians will attend church services, with different customs based on the culture and tradition.
