Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick Day is
the most beloved celebration of Ireland on date of 17 March. In Orthodoxy he is
also celebrated.
Saint Patrick was born
in Britain Rome in approximately 4th Century, around 390 AD from a Deacon and
his spouse. His origins however are unknown if was a Celtic or Roman ethnic
background. At the age of 16 years he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland to
become a slave. After 6 years he managed to escape but he returned in 432 AD to
contribute to enlighten the local population of Ireland which was mostly with
followers of druidism religion. Until his death time on 17 March 461 AD, he
created monasteries, schools, churches. He is most famous by explaining the
Holy Trinity with a shamrock.
Saint Patrick became
the Patron Saint of Ireland and he incorporated the traditional, local rituals
in Christianity instead of eradicating the pagan customs. He also made the
famous Celtic Cross which symbolizes the Sun (Irish Symbol) with the Cross. The
festival for the Saint Patrick Holiday however started when the immigrants of
Ireland moved to USA. There the celebration became commercial and now it is a
national holiday, mostly outside the religious meaning, where people enjoy time
and have fun.
The oldest records of
this Saint celebration dates back to 9/10 Century where Catholic church in
Ireland honoured this Saint with church ceremony and later in quiet and modest
prayer at home with meeting of close people to engage in social life and have
food together. Due to the Irish Potato Famine, the population struggled by
harsh conditions of living and lack of resources to move to America. The locals
did not welcome them and they were not seen with good eyes, in fact for a long
period they have faced discrimination. Due to this situation and having no
country anymore they created the Parades to honour their heritage and beloved
Saint so that they can manifest their culture and have the feeling of a home.
The 1st parade of Saint
Patrick's Day was held on 17 March, in 1601 AD, in today's Florida. Later in
1772 AD, the Irish soldiers made parades in cities like New York and Boston. In
the parade are included famous Celtic symbols. The most famous is the naughty
leprechaun - "lobaircin" (small-bodied fellow). They are considered
to be small fairies, both female and male, with red hair and green clothes,
having a cranky behaviour and using their magical powers in both good or evil
way. The original colour of the feast was blue but turned green so that they can
express better their feelings. The current national symbol, the shamrock, named
"seamroy", was a sacred plant which existed for centuries and
represented in the Celtic culture the arrival of spring.
The religious aspect
however is more complicated with this celebration. Yes in many Christian
churches this Saint is celebrated and is considered to be a Saint.
Unfortunately from a Christian Orthodox point of view things are not that
simple. Saint Patrick is accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church as a Saint but
unfortunately what happens around this date of 17 March in present times it is
against our Christian rules.
He may be our Saint also but the Celtic cross
is something that should be avoided by us from 2 major reasons: first is that
Jesus Christ our Savior didn't have such Cross when he was crucified and the
second major issue is start the circle around the cross has a pagan root from
the Celtic mythology. Therefore it is not a sin to have a Celtic cross in your
home as a Christian follower if you keep it exclusive for decor or the cultural
heritage but not using it at prayers and include it in any Christian Holy
ritual.
The honouring of our beloved Saint Patrick was
initially a holy day with church day and modest home prayers and gathering with
close people. Now unfortunately it is transformed into a commercial secular
Irish day as an ode to their heritage. Along with giving up the religious
aspect which is a major sin as a Christian, another problem is that it is
extravagant and loud, something which is parallel to the Christian humble way
of living. The fact that alcohol is at discretion, true natural beer is good
for health but in small quantities and has been consumed since Ancient period,
but excess of alcohol is neither a Christian way to live or the recommendation
of doctors.
Another major conflict
with this celebration is the mixture of the pagan and the Christian elements
and beliefs. Therefore if you truly wish to participate in honouring Saint Patrick
you should go to your church and later invest in a modest time with family
gatherings and prayers in respect to his work as missionary to convert the
country, not in the loud commercial festivals which only give a lack of respect
for the Saint's life and devotion for his love of Christianity.
