Do You Know The Origins Of Everyone's Favorite Holiday?
Everybody's favorite day of the year might be March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day. It's an excuse for Irish people to take a day off work (seriously, it's a public holiday in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador) or at least to celebrate like they have the next day off. Let's explore the origins of Saint Patrick's Day and how it became everyone's favorite holiday.
Who Was Saint Patrick?
Now famously the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick began his life in Roman Britain as a Christian missionary in the fifth (or late fourth) century. According to his autobiographies, the only name he's known by is "Pátraic," in Old Irish. His name is sometimes spelled "Pádraig" in Irish.
Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Life Of Saint Patrick
Although Patrick's exact birth date is unknown, his biographies place him in the early fifth century. Additionally, his biblical writings changed from Old Latin to Vulgate (a transitional language at the turn of the fourth century), further adding to the confusion surrounding when he translated the Bible.
A Disagreement Among Scholars About His Birthplace
Different religious scholars have differing opinions about exactly where Saint Patrick was born. Some say Wales, and some say Kilpatrick in Scotland. However, his father, Calpurnius, was a Roman decurion (senator and tax collector) of an unspecified Roman-British city, according to research.
ajbear, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Confessio: Patrick's Autobiography
One commonly used source detailing Patrick's life is his autobiography, Confessio in Latin, or "The Declaration". This book tells the story of Patrick's being brought to Ireland from his home in Britain by Irish pirates from the Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata.
Time As An Enslaved Person
Patrick spent six years as an enslaved person of these Irish pirates, from the time he was 16 till about 22. He wrote in Confessio that this time spent in captivity helped him to develop his spirituality.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
A Daring Escape
In Confessio, Patrick writes about daringly escaping his captives under the cloak of darkness. After fleeing to a port some 200 miles away from where he was being held, he and his fellow passengers then walked for 28 days in the wilderness. While hungry, Patrick reportedly prayed for sustenance and then encountered a herd of wild boar.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
Patrick Grows In Prestige
Because Patrick had told the others to "put their faith in God" while on this 28-day excursion, he gained prestige among the group after the wild boar appeared, allowing the starving gaggle to eat. This was seen as God answering Patrick's prayers.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
Patrick's Vision Of The Irish Man
Patrick had a vision several years after returning home to Britain from his captivity and daring escape. He detailed this vision in his writings: "I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters and gave me one of them. I read the heading: 'The Voice of the Irish'. As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: 'We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us'".
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
Was It Bishop Victricius?
Scottish writer and historian A B E Hood believes Patrick referred to Saint Victricius, a French bishop who visited Britain in 396 AD. Although some have disputed this, the timing does seem to fit.
Giogo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Patrick Studies In France
Given the probable presence of a French bishop in England in 396 AD, it's no wonder that Patrick decided to study at several religious colleges in France, being ordained eventually as a bishop. After this, research places Patrick back in Ireland as a Christian missionary.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
The Irish Patron Saint Was Originally Unwelcome
The man now venerated in Ireland was originally not welcome on its shores. After coming ashore, Patrick faced hostility from the locals, so he got back in his boat and sailed further north, reportedly landing on the shores of Wicklow on Ireland's eastern coast.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
Refusal To Accept Gifts
One of the things that drove Patrick out of France and to Ireland was his refusal to accept gifts or payment for things like ordaining priests, and even returning gifts given to him by kings and judges. This refusal to accept gifts made the existing religious hierarchy increasingly suspicious that Patrick was corrupt.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
A Man Without Protection
Because Patrick refused to accept gifts from kings or judges, he was a foreigner in Ireland without any protection. Normally, during the fifth century, your acceptance of gifts from kings or men of high standing would have granted you protection or affinity from the king. Still, Patrick's refusal left him in a dangerous position.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
Beaten & Left To Die
Patrick's writings detailed several occasions where he was beaten, robbed of all his possessions, put in chains, and awaiting his execution. Later, having escaped that predicament (somehow), he was held captive for 60 days by the Irish, who were not so willing to convert to Christianity.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
Baptizing Thousands Of People
Despite sometimes violent resistance, it's said that Patrick baptized thousands of people, ordaining new priests to lead the newly-founded Christian communities and generally converting the previously Pagan Irish to Christianity left, right, and center.
NorthStar Studios, I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland (2020)
The Seventh-Century Writings Of Tiréchan
Tiréchan was an Irish bishop in the seventh century who references Patrick in his hagiography, and relied on a single source: The Book of Ultán, written by the Irish monk Ultan of Ardbraccan. Tiréchan remembers: "I found four names for Patrick written in The Book of Ultán, the most likely name given to Patrick by the monk was "Patricius", or "Father of the Citizens".
Internet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons
A Jurisdictional Fight After Patrick's Death
Throughout his life, Patrick's converts founded many monasteries in his name, particularly in Armagh, Northern Ireland. The church of Armagh was, after Patrick died, spreading its influence throughout Ireland and in direct competition with a church in Kildare in the south of Ireland. In particular, Wilfred, the Archbishop of York, claimed to "speak for all of northern Britain and Ireland" in a meeting with Pope Agatho, claiming jurisdiction over the Irish church.
JohnArmagh/Rabanus Flavus, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Legends Of Saint Patrick
Naturally, when one achieves sainthood, legends about your exploits are sure to reach far and wide. Some are much more credible than others. Let's explore some of the legends that surrounded Saint Patrick.
Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
No Snakes In Ireland
One of the most common myths propagated by followers of Saint Patrick is that he banished all snakes from Ireland. This was first noted in the Legend of Saint Columba in the seventh or eighth century, but there was just one problem: there were no snakes in Ireland. Even a Roman geographer from the third century had observed this. Oops.
Lyricmac, CC BY-SA 3.0,Wikimedia Commons
The Significance Of The Shamrock In Patrick Lore
You may wonder why the shamrock clover is one of Ireland's national symbols. Well, it is said that one of these reasons is because Saint Patrick used a three-leafed shamrock to illustrate the idea of the Holy Trinity to those whom he encountered in Ireland. Ireland's Pagans must have been quite taken with the idea, as paganism in Ireland often has occurrences of threes.
"Father Ted", CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Saint Patrick Was Never A Saint!
Upon his death, Saint Patrick was never formally canonized by the Catholic Church, as would have been necessary for him to officially have received sainthood. However, he's known as a "saint" thanks to the popularity of his teachings and spreading Christianity throughout Ireland. But officially? Saint Patrick ain't no saint.
The Origins Of Saint Patrick's Day
As you all know, Saint Patrick's Day falls on March 17th annually—the origins of Saint Patrick's Day are disputed, but the day is likely the date of Saint Patrick's death. Known as his "Feast Day" in religious terms, the day was traditionally marked with a great feast to celebrate him and his contributions to spreading Christianity throughout Ireland.
Sicarr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Day Is Placed On The Liturgical Calendar
Despite not being officially canonized by the Catholic Church, the Church was pressured by an Irish-Franciscan monk, Luke Wadding.
National Gallery of Ireland, Wikimedia Commons
The Color Green On Saint Patrick's Day
Wearing of the color green on Saint Patrick's Day has become tradition, but it first appeared in a story from 1126 AD, wherein an Irish warrior, Goidel The Green, is saved from a snakebite by Moses, who places his staff upon the bite, leaving Goidel with a green mark. Further association comes from the Green Harp Flag, created by the Irish Catholic Confederation in the mid-17th century when they were a self-governing force in Ireland between 1642 and 1652.
John Everett Millais, Wikimedia Commons
The First Saint Patrick's Day Parade
The very first Saint Patrick's Day parade was held in North America in 1601 in St Augustine, Florida. It was organized by vicar Ricardo Artur. In New York, it dates back to 1762, when it was organized by Irish soldiers serving in the British Army. In Northern Ireland, the first state-sponsored Saint Patrick's Day parade took place in 1931.
Samuel A. Cooley, Wikimedia Commons
Saint Patrick's Day Parades Around The World
In England, Queen Alexandra introduced the first Saint Patrick's Day parade in 1901. Overseas, Malta's Royal Dublin Fusiliers held the first Saint Patrick's Day on the parade square in Malta in the early 20th century. Many other European countries also observe Saint Patrick's Day.
State Library of Queensland, Picryl
Saint Patrick's Day Receives Backlash
With the numerous parades taking place throughout the world on March 17, some have drawn attention to the over-commercialization of Irish culture. The selling of shamrocks, hats, ginger beards, and other green attire has led to a backlash among those who say that the day has become about money-making rather than a celebration of Irish culture and heritage.
Dmitry Dzhus, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Vehicle For Change
Saint Patrick's Day celebrations across the world have often been used to call attention to political and social wrongs within society. For example, in 1970, Saint Patrick's Day parades across the United States were used to call for civil rights in Northern Ireland.
Hartmut Schmidt Heidelberg, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The LGBTQ+ Community Was Banned From Marching In Parades
In the United States, members of the LGBTQ+ community were banned from marching in Saint Patrick's Day parades in New York City and Boston because of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an American Irish Catholic fraternal organization who stipulated that because the Catholic Church views homosexuality as a sin and that the parades were a private event, they had the right to bar members of the LGBTQ+ community from attending. The Supreme Court upheld their thinking, and LGBTQ+ members have been repeatedly banned from attending certain Saint Patrick's Day parade events, most recently in 2017 in Boston.
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