St. Patrick's Day - the holiday of spring Ireland

День святого Патрика – ежегодный национальный Irish holiday, which is held in honor of the famous patron of this country. According to legend, it was he who brought Christianity into the country, eradicating paganism, and he also drove the snakes away from the island. For the Irish is a fun, colorful, spring holiday.

When is St. Patrick's Day celebrated?This happens in early spring, March 17, when young leaves and grass are distinguished by their special freshness and greenery. Although initially this holiday was celebrated only in Ireland, now the tradition is spread all over the world.

The famous joke says: "On this day, anyone who wants can become an Irishman." What are the customs of this holiday?

The story of the legend

Although it is believed that the Christianization of IrelandSaint Patrick spent it, there are signs that this religion existed there and before it. Moreover, some scientists are generally inclined to believe that Saint Patrick is nothing more than a character of legends. It is authentically known that in 373 AD in Britain, the boy Mevin Sukkat was born. He was very far from Christianity, but at the age of sixteen he was taken into slavery and taken to Ireland. It was in conditions of heavy bondage that he came to religion, and the new faith helped him survive.

When he finally managed to free himself, he left for Gaul, where he became a minister of the church and received the name Patrick. After which he returned to his native country as a missionary, preaching Christianity.

Holiday customs

Despite the fact that, logically, the Day of the HolyPatrick is closely associated with Christianity, this holiday is an interweaving of both pagan and Christian traditions. By honoring the deeds of the saint, for example, one could include climbing Mount Cro-Patrick, where, according to legend, the saint drove all the snakes out of the country.

Another tribute to Christianity is the decoration of houses and clothes with a green shamrock, which symbolizes the cross.

The folk tradition is that on the DaySt. Patrick needs to drink at least a glass of alcohol in an Irish pub, and before that you need to put in it a leaf of a shamrock. This is called "drain the trefoil." After that, be sure to remove the sheet from the glass and throw it over the left shoulder.

The traditional color of clothing on this day is green.It symbolizes Ireland, the spring and the trefoil. In general, the Irish are guided by the rule: the more green - the better! And in Chicago even the river is painted green every year!

On St. Patrick's Day in Ireland and around the world, mass parades are held in extravagant costumes, in which famous brass bands with bagpipes take part.

In addition to all this, the same way holidayare leprechauns - mythical characters, each of which, according to legend, has a bag of gold. But if gold falls into the wrong hands, it will immediately dissolve in the air, so there is no sense to ask or take away from the leprechauns their wealth. In honor of the funny characters, the participants of the festival always wear high green top hats.

Holiday Kitchen

Although St. Patrick's Day falls on the GreatFasting, the Irish eat meat to their fill, without violating the restrictions. How is this possible? This is another holiday magic. According to the Catholic tradition, a fish is considered a Lenten dish, therefore, it is believed that St. Patrick makes meat into a pot on this day as a fish. So people are satisfied, and the post is not broken.

Traditional cabbage was formerly considered cabbage with bacon, but later it was replaced by salty meat, which was brought to Irish cuisine by American immigrants.

Another characteristic feature is that almost all the festive dishes on this day, even sweet ones, add ... beer!

St. Patrick's Day is not to be missed.If you went outside in the spring, and everything around is green, beer pours out of the river and bagpipes are loud - no doubt, the favorite holiday of all Irish people has come!