St. Patricks Day (Christian)

St. Patrick was born about 390 AD in Roman Britain. As a youth he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. He escaped six years later and fled to Gaul. After several years of monastic life, he returned to Ireland in 432 AD as a missionary to the people there.

Legend has it that he drove all of the snakes out of the country. It is said that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity; hence its strong association with his day and name.

St. Patrick is a hero in Ireland. In fact, there are about 60 churches and cathedrals named for him in Ireland alone. One of the most famous cathedrals is St. Patricks Cathedral in Dublin. These grounds bear the mark of the place where St. Patrick baptised his converts.

Green is associated with Saint Patricks Day because it is the colour of spring, Ireland and the shamrock.