HOLIDAYS - ST. Patrick’s Day!

In the United States and Great Britain, the Irish communities celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. The Irish community in the United States is very big.
Who was St. Patrick and why is he important to the Irish?

Patrick was born in Britain in 389 AD. When he was 16 years old he was captured and taken to Ireland. He became a slave. After 6 years Patrick escaped to France by ship. There he became a priest. He returned to Ireland as a bishop in 432 AD. He converted most of the Irish to Christianity. There are legends about St. Patrick. One legend says that he banished all the serpents from Ireland. Another legend says that he used a shamrock to teach the Irish about the Trinity. Today the shamrock is still a symbol of Ireland and the Irish. On March 17 there are big parades in most American cities in honor of the Irish. Many shops and restaurants are decorated with green shamrocks.