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Saint Patrick
Did you know that St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, wasn't Irish? He was born in Roman Britain and his real name was Maewyn Succat. His parents belonged to a high ranking Roman family.
Until he was 16 years old, he was pagan. At 16, he was sold into slavery by Irish marauders to a Druid chieftain named Milchu. While in captivity in Ireland, he learned the irish language and converted to christianity.
After enduring six years of slavery and being forced to work as a sheppard, he escaped and went back to the continent. He then became determined to convert the Irish to christianity and this led him to Gaul, where he studied in the church of Auxerre.
Although he wished to return to Ireland to begin his work, he was transferred to Scotland instead. During this time period, he was given the name of Patrick by Pope Celestine. His first nomination as bishop to the irish was rejected because of a sin in his youth. In 432 AD, he was finally ordained and then appointed second bishop to Ireland.
He was quite successful at converting many of the pagans, but this upset the Druids. He was arrested many times, but always managed to escaped.
He worked for 30 years and then retired in Ireland. He died on March 17 in AD 461. The day of his death is the day we all celebrate as St. Patrick's Day.
Many myths surround the story of Saint Patrick. Among those are the stories that he raised the dead and drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, there were never any snakes in Ireland to begin with. Some say that this probably refers to his conversion of the pagans, and not actual snakes.
The shamrock is also associated with this holiday. It is a traditional symbol of Saint Patrick's Day because he used the three-leafed clover or shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, father, son, and Holy Spirit to the irish people.
In 1737, the custom of celebrating St. Patrick's Day came to America and was first celebrated in Boston.
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