St. Day St. Patrick’s Day
When Patrick was 16 Irish pirates took him as a slave from England to Ireland. He worked and learnt Irish language, customs and the way of life.
He was born in a Christian family and didn’t like that the Irish worshiped many gods and spirits.
He was able to escape to France and after 14 years of study, in the year 432, he returned to Ireland as a bishop.
Patrick travelled across Ireland and established churches and schools. It’s believed that he performed a lot of miracles. A well known legend says he drove snakes out of Ireland
Shamrocks are small plants with three leaves. there is a lot of green in Ireland, so green is Ireland’s national colour.
Shamrock means ‘a little clover’ in Gaelic and it is the emblem of Ireland which is connected with the legend of St. Patrick.
To get across the message that the God is 3 persons in one, Patrick is said to have used the shamrock as a visual aid.
Nowadays everything turns green on St. Patrick’s Day. Millions of real shamrocks are sent from Ireland to many countries. Green and golden balloons are sold by hundreds. Children and adults wear something green
Shops prepare green food: green bread, green ice- cream, green milk shakes. People eat corned beef and cabbage and drink Irish coffee. Irish songs can be heard on the radio.