Saint Patrick is the most popular and well-known of the three patron saints of Ireland. He was kidnapped as a teen from Roman Britain and taken to Ireland, then sold as a slave. Patrick said that God told him in a dream to escape by walking 200 miles to a boat headed for England.
St. Patrick's Day is observed on March 17th, each year. The observance was originally a religious holiday in Ireland, but has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture around the world.
Snakes From Ireland
Saint Patrick relates in his Confesio that he had a dream in which the people of Ireland were calling to him to come and tell them about God. Patrick is credited with banishing snakes from Ireland, but they actually didn't exist there. It is said that the "snakes" he banished refers to the serpent symbol in Druidism; therefore banishing paganism from Ireland.The History Channel: Symbols and Traditions
St. Patrick's Day Questions
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References
Fast Facts
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Born
ca. 373-387
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Birthplace
Kilpatrick, Scotland
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Death
ca. 461-493
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Place of death
Saul
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Fact:
Much debate over the actual dates of events in Patrick's life
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Fact:
Believed by some to be buried in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
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Feast day
March 17 (date of death)
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Fact:
Kidnapped at 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave
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Fact:
Kept his master's flocks for 6 years
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Fact:
Escaped back to England by boat around 20 years of age
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Fact:
Returned to Ireland as a missionary around 433
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Fact:
Used the 3-leaf shamrock to teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy GhostThe History Channel: Symbols and Traditions
