St. Patrick's Day (17/03)

March 17 — is the day of remembrance of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. St. Patrick's Day, irl. Lá ’le Pádraig). Saint Patrick, according to legend, brought Christianity to the pagan island and expelled all snakes. According to one version, he died presumably in 461 or 493.

A parade with songs and dances is held in honor of St. Patrick, Irish beer flows like a river. March 17 — is a holiday not only for the Irish saint, but also for the Irish soul.

This holiday has outgrown national borders and has become a kind of international day for Ireland. In different cities of the world — in New York, Buenos Aires, Melbourne celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Bright processions, parades and festivities of people dressed in green (the national color of Ireland) are visible wherever the Irish live. On this day, clover, a symbol of Ireland and good luck, is inserted into the buttonhole.

There are many legends associated with the name of St. Patrick, for example, that he used three-leaf clover to explain to people the concept of the Holy Trinity. «Just as three leaves can grow from one stem, so God can be one in three persons», — this phrase of the saint has already become textbook.



Saint Patrick — is one of the most revered saints in the whole world. The Western Church celebrates his memorial day on March 17; in a number of Orthodox Churches, his memory is honored on March 30, new style (March 17, old style).

But St. Patrick's Day also has pagan motives. Thus, one of his indispensable heroes is leprechauns — fairy-tale shoe makers who own a hidden pot of gold. If a lucky treasure hunter manages to catch a leprechaun, then this creature must tell a person where his treasures are hidden. However, if you suddenly catch a shoe maker, then remember that you should not completely believe him, — these men are malicious and mischievous and can easily deceive a gullible treasure hunter.



Traditionally, parades are held on St. Patrick's Day. People dressed in extravagant costumes take to the streets, as well as brass bands that cannot do without the famous bagpipes. Popular rumor says that this tradition was born in Ireland. New York and Boston are challenging the palm. New Yorkers claim that the first parade took place in 1762 in their city. Ireland was then under English rule, and it is possible that the inhabitants of the recalcitrant North American colonies expressed their solidarity with them in this way.



• Infographics – poster «March 17 — St. Patrick's Day»

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