While it may be known as a holiday filled with parades, parties, and wearing green, St. Patrick’s Day has a long and distinguished history, all dating back to the passing of St. Patrick in the 5th Century. Here are some intriguing facts about St. Patrick’s Day that you may not have previously known about.
Place of Birth
Although he was the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was actually born in Britain rather than Ireland. He only arrived in Ireland at the age of 16 upon being captured by Irish raiders. He was then sold as a slave to a Celtic priest. After six years of hard labor, St. Patrick returned to Britain, eventually making his way back to Ireland as a Christian missionary.
Never Canonized
It may seem strange to think that a holy person such as St. Patrick was never canonized. This isn’t a result of any rejection from the Church, however, but rather due to the fact that the process of Canonization did not yet exist when he died in 461 A.D. Still, despite the lack of canonization, many regard St. Patrick as saintly.
Made In America
While people in Ireland have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day since the 1600s, the famous St. Patrick’s Day parades we’ve all come to know and love only began in the United States on March 17, 1601 in a Spanish Colony now known as the city of St. Augustine, Florida.