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Being Irish (mostly) myself I try to know a little bit about my heritage. Some of you may already know what I’m going to say, others might find it interesting and still others might just say, “who cares get me another green beer.”
So who was the real man this St. Patrick?
Well for starters he wasn’t Irish. He was a Roman/Brit.
At 16 he was kidnapped by pirates and sold on the slave market in Ireland. There is became a sheep herder till he escaped back to Britain in his early 20s.
Once back in Britain he entered the church and rose to the title of Bishop. He then returned to Ireland to spread Christianity throughout the country.
The 3 leaf clover is said to be popularized by him since it is said he used the 3 leaves to explain the holy trinity. There is actually no proof of that but it makes for a feel good story.
His color was blue not green. Green became the recognized color of Ireland much later
Technically he wasn’t a Saint either. Saints must be canonized by the church to achieve Sainthood. That procedure did not exist when St. Patrick was alive. So by popular decree he’s a Saint. As with all Saints their day of their deaths is a religious holiday to speak so we have March 17.
One last thing his name wasn’t Patrick. His true name was.Maewyn Succat. Put saint in front of that and well just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
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