Many people associate Saint Patrick with beer and Irish music. The truth is that this festival goes much further and has a tradition that goes back more than 15 centuries. If you are interested, we will tell you everything about Saint Patrick: who was, where is celebrated, customs and meaning of clover
Who was Saint Patrick?
The question everyone should be asking on March 17:who is saint patrick (and why do I toast to him)? The truth is that Saint Patrick really existed, although his real name was Maewyn succat. East British born in the late 4th century and but during the fifth century he moved to Ireland to evangelize the population.
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Before doing it, at the age of 16, he was captured by pirates who sold him to work as a slave. It would take him seven years to regain his freedom and that was when he decided to become a priest.
His fame grew exponentially for his simple way of conveying his message. He was close, he had charisma and he toured many areas of Ireland. In fact, he would end up being bishop in the countryeven spent a season in Ulster, where came to found the monastery of Saul
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Over the years, their stories have become legends, some even Patrick’s stories feature leprechauns and saints in the story.
Where is Saint Patrick celebrated?
The truth is that the st patrick’s day celebration It has become universal over the years. Thus, what centuries ago was exclusive to Ireland, has jumped to many corners of the world. In many cases, thanks to Irish migration across the globe. But,where is saint patrick celebrated?
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- Ireland – He is the patron saint of the country and St. Patrick’s Day is the biggest holiday in the entire state. The whole of Ireland is dyed green, although they are cities like limerick either Kilkenny those that have become most famous for their celebrations. In the first, horse races are traditional on Saint Patrick’s weekend, where millions of pounds are bet. Meanwhile, in Kilkenny they make music the central axis of the celebration.
- USA – The Irish colony in the United States is large and, as such, they have made a homeland on the other side of the Atlantic. Thus, cities like New York, Boston or Chicago have March 17 marked in green on the calendar as one of the relevant holidays of the year.
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- Germany – When it comes to beer, Germany has a lot to say. In fact, Saint Patrick begins to look Oktoberfest in the eye. He quotes unavoidable year after year and getting bigger.
- Italy – Despite being a minor and very localized festival, it is well worth going to Padua for what is known as the Festa Irlandesa.
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- Australia – One of the examples of a country where Irish emigrants have settled and have maintained their traditional patron saint festival. In addition, they have adapted it in the best possible way: as a family
Patrick’s Day customs
Patrick’s Day customs they have been adapted to the idiosyncrasy of the area in which they are held. However, most have a common axis: Guinness beer. Go to the corner of the world you go, you can taste the traditional Irish beer. That is non-negotiable.
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- New York (state Joined) – The relevance of the Big Apple has made his San Patricio live up to the original, even threatening to surpass it. Also, in New York they have what is, without a doubt, the best St. Patrick’s tradition in the world. Everyone who goes out on the street should wear something green. If you don’t, anyone who sees you, even without knowing you, is entitled to pinch you. Wonderful.
- Chicago (state Joined) – And from a hooligan New York custom, to one of the most shocking. In Chicago, when March 17 arrives, the Chicago River turns its waters emerald green. The image of the river crossing the city with the water in greenish tones is indescribable.
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- Boston (state Joined) – The city in the United States that has been celebrating Saint Patrick for the longest time, also does it in the most traditional way. In fact, Boston happens to be a kind of Ireland, with its neighbors dressed in traditional Irish costumes, bagpipes playing through the streets and music playing on every corner.
- berlin (Germany) – Whoever goes to the German capital on March 17 might think that they have taken the wrong country. Endless parades, Berliners dressed in traditional Irish costumes and bagpipes, lots of bagpipes, playing Irish classics. Obviously, only Guinness is drunk that day.
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- Padua (Italy) – The Irish Festa de Padua continues for no more and no less than five days, while more than 25,000 people turn a small Italian city into an extension of Dublin.
- sydney (Australia) – Tens of thousands of Irish once went to seek their fortune in Australia, where they found it and settled. There, St. Patrick’s Day is a big family party where parents and children gather in Hyde Park North, the green heart of the city. A parade of balloons, music, food and beer are, among many other options, common on March 17.
The meaning of the clover on Saint Patrick’s Day
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As everyone knows, at St. Patrick’s Day a clover is attributed to him as a symbol. What not everyone knows is the meaning of the clover on St. Patrick’s Day. And it turns out that it is related to Saint Patrick himself and the legend that surrounds all of his life and work.
They say that this missionary used to baptize his parishioners in the same area where the dublin cathedral. There, in addition, Saint Patrick exposed his Catholic message to those who wanted to listen to him.
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One of the most relevant passages of Christianity is the mystery of the Blessed Trinity. Apparently, Saint Patrick used a clover to explain it visually. With a clover in his hand, he told about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit reunited in a single being, which facilitated understanding among those present.