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St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, whose missionary work in that country lasted for thirty years, during the course of which St. Patrick consecrated 350 bishops, converted no fewer than 135,000 Irish citizens, not to mention traveled extensively and made his Christian name so well known that places named after him exist throughout Europe to this day.

Born Maewyn Succat in Roman Britain in 387 C.E., the event most significant in turning him towards Christianity was his capture by Celtic raiders at the age of sixteen and the years he spent enslaved by them in Ireland.During his enslavement, he learned the local customs, language, in addition to the rituals and symbols of the Celtic Druids, a form of pagan worship the majority of whose followers Patrick would ultimately convert to Catholicism.

This knowledge proved useful when Patrick returned to Ireland around 432 C.E. as the Apostle ordained by the Roman Catholic Church to bring the light and redemption of Christianity to the unenlightened locals.

The people were extremely responsive to Patrick and what he preached, something that was only abetted by the fact that Patrick was able to Christianize the symbols of Celtic culture and religion to further reinforce his teachings.

According to legend, it was Patrick who drove out the snakes from Ireland, as the reptiles really do not inhabit the island, but in light of the symbolism of the serpent in the story of Adam and Eve, this can be taken to mean that he rid Ireland of pagan worship, not snakes in general.

Another of Patrick's most celebrated accomplishments is the introduction of alcohol to Ireland, which has had a profound and long-lasting effect on that culture.

The most prominent symbol associated with St. Patrick's Day is the shamrock, a variety of clover. Patrick himself adopted the shamrock, a plant held sacred by the Celtic Druids, to signify the Holy Trinity and demonstrate it for the unconverted Irish.

In Ireland, where St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday and most citizens are off work, the day is observed with church worship, community gatherings, and family meals. The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin is only a recent occurrence, however common that public display of enthusiasm for the celebration has been made in American cities.

While St. Patrick's Day in Ireland is a more solemn event, the festive tone of the celebration in the United States can be historically traced to the days when Irish immigrants were discriminated against and persecuted, and the occasion is used as a public display of pride in Irish culture and roots.

The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place on the streets of New York City on March 17, 1762 and largely consisted of the Irish soldiers serving in the British military. Along with grand parades that are held in most major cities in the United States, St. Patrick's Day is commemorated with the wearing of green, which symbolizes the rejuvenation of spring as well as Irish roots, and the consumption of green beer and an evening of active bar-hopping.

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