By Chase Cowan
Every year on March 17, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Cities host parades and people wear green clothing. Symbols like shamrocks appear everywhere. In the United States, large celebrations take place in cities such as New York City, Boston, and Chicago, where the Chicago River is famously dyed green. Behind the festive traditions is the true story of Saint Patrick, a man whose life did not adhere to the happy traditions of his holiday.
Although he is an important figure in Ireland, Patrick was not born in there. He was born in Roman Britain in the late 300s. As a teenager, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland. There, he was forced into slavery and worked as a shepherd for six years. During this difficult time, Patrick wrote that he turned strongly to his Christian faith. He prayed often and believed his faith helped him survive.
According to Patrick’s own writings, he eventually had a dream in which God told him it was time to escape. He fled his captors, traveled nearly 200 miles to the coast, and found a ship that carried him back to Britain. After reuniting with his family, Patrick began studying Christianity more seriously. Years later, he made a surprising decision. he chose to return to Ireland as a missionary.
According to CBS News, Patrick spent much of his life traveling throughout Ireland, teaching people about Christianity and building churches. At the time, many Irish people followed Celtic religious traditions. Patrick worked to convert them to Christianity, and over time, he became one of the most important religious figures in Irish history.
According to America Magazine, one popular legend says he used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the concept of Holy Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which are all three parts of one God. Another well-known story claims that Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland. However, historians say this is likely symbolic. Ireland did not have snakes after the last Ice Age, so the story may represent Patrick helping to remove pagan beliefs from the country rather than real snakes.
According to St Patrick’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Patrick died on March 17, 461. The date became a religious feast day in Ireland to honor his life and work. For many centuries, the day was observed with church services and family meals.
The holiday became more festive as Irish immigrants moved to countries like the United States during the 1700s and 1800s. In cities such as Boston, Irish communities organized parades to celebrate their heritage and culture. Over time, St. Patrick’s Day grew into a global celebration of Irish pride.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is known for green clothing, music, and large public celebrations, although it lost most of its religious meaning. However, the real meaning of the holiday honors a man who escaped slavery, followed his faith, and returned to the place where he used to be a slave to convert them to Christianity.
Graphic by Philip Berkwit
