Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland.

Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. As a boy of fourteen he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

Patrick`s captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family.

After his religious training and his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to care for the Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the non-Christians.

Nowadays, St. Patrick is a patriotic symbol. The celebrations on St. Patrick`s Day include many traditions that have endured through time because of their strong link either with religion or national identity.

St. Patrick`s Day is celebrated each year on March 17th., the anniversary of his death. In Ireland, Saint Patrick`s Day is both, a holy day and a national holiday. Saint Patrick`s Day is celebrated in countries around the world. People with Irish heritage remind themselves of their home country by wearing green and taking part in the festivities. Saint Patrick`s Day is usually celebrated with a parade.