Saint Patrick's Day

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Irish clover

Sydney Opera House on St. Patrick's Day (41260243671)

"The Wearing of the Green."

St. Patricks Day Parade (2013) In Dublin Was Excellent But The Weather And The Turnout Was Disappointing (8566201364)

ST. PATRICK'S SPIRE OF LIGHT ON O'CONNELL STREET IN DUBLIN REF-102056 (16650284488)

Saint Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilís, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians who belong to liturgical denominations also attend church services and historically the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday's tradition of alcohol consumption.

History

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March, the supposed date of Saint Patrick's death. It is celebrated inside and outside Ireland as a religious and cultural holiday. In the dioceses of Ireland, it is both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation; it is also a celebration of Ireland itself.

Origin

The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. According to legend, Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans. This story first appears in writing in 1726, though it may be older. The shamrock has since become a central symbol for Saint Patrick's Day.

Celebration

Initially, Saint Patrick's Day was celebrated with religious services and feasts in honor of Saint Patrick. Over time, it has evolved into a variety of festivals across the globe celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green.

Traditions

The most common St. Patrick's Day symbol is the shamrock. The wearing of the 'green' is a tradition that is widespread. People wear green clothing and accessories, and the Chicago River is dyed green in celebration. Parades and festivals are common, and some communities even go as far as lighting up landmarks in green.

Global Celebrations

While Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday only in a few places: Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat, Irish-themed parades and festivities occur around the world. Major cities, including New York City, Boston, and Chicago, host large parades that draw millions of people.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite its widespread popularity, Saint Patrick's Day has been criticized for promoting stereotypes and sometimes excessive alcohol consumption. There have been efforts in recent years to return the day to its roots as a cultural and religious celebration.

See Also

• List of patron saints of places
• Shamrock
• Public holidays in Ireland
• Christianity in Ireland