Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint

>> Who was St. Patrick?

He was a missionary and priest with a dual mission: his aim was to care for the Christians living in Ireland and to convert the non-Christians. He used the three-leafed shamrock with its green color to explain that there are three people in one god. Since then the shamrock is an important symbol of St. Patrick’s Day.

In Ireland there is a holiday in honor of St. Patrick, the holy patron. I remember that I was in Ireland at exactly that time when St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated.

The holiday takes place each year on March 17^th, and the people decorate everything in green (color of the rebirth and the spring) and wear green clothes. It’s quite amusing to watch them with their green hats, singing and dancing and celebrating in honor of St. Patrick.

It’s not only celebrated in Ireland but also in many countries all over the world. Wherever the Irish are at this special day they celebrate it- no matter where or when. Even at my hometown in Wolfsberg this day is celebrated at a small pub. I was there last St. Patrick’s Day and I experienced nearly the same feeling and atmosphere as when I was in Ireland… ;-)