St. Patrick's Day is celebrated a bit different back when there was an actual Saint Patrick versus now where one of the most famous Patrick we have is a starfish. The traditions like drinking a lot on that day and wearing clovers can be found out in the short history of Saint Patrick.
According to Wikipedia, Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain, which shows that he actually wasn't Irish. When he was 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pagans. He then was forced to work as a shepherd for six years and while there he found the religion, or as he puts it, "Found God". In the article, WHO IS ST. PATRICK AND WHY DO WE CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY? It basically says, After those six years, he came back to his home, converted everyone there, got ordained a priest and then a bishop. When he was made an apostle to Ireland, he returned and converted thousands to his church. This is especially amazing because he did it in less than 30 years.
In the present day, we celebrate St. Patrick's day by wearing green and pinching those who don't. We gather together for parades and for some people, a lot of drinking. The reason behind drinking a lot on that day is, according to Why do people drink beer on Saint Patrick's day? it states, "Within Ireland St Patrick's day falls during lent. In the past this would have been a time of abstinence. However St Patrick's day being such a big celebration in the Irish church, was informally allowed to be a cheat day, where you were able to indulge in what you were abstaining from. So within Ireland, people who drink, will generally drink on St Patrick's day. They won't just drink beer though. All alcoholic beverages may be consumed." People might not know this fact, but it is an excuse to drink, so I guess anyone will take it.
So, in conclusion, St. Patrick's Day is an interesting holiday named after a man who definitely doesn't live under the sea with a sponge.
By: Lollie W.
By: Lollie W.
No comments:
Post a Comment