17th of March is a day we all know to be St. Patrick's day. Parades of green, loud music and dancing all make the day exciting and full of fun. But why do we celebrate this day with such joy? Who is St. Patrick really?
St. Patrick: Taken Prisoner By Irish Raiders
It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested 
that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)
St. Patrick: Guided By Visions
After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice—which he believed to be God's—spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.
To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast.
After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation—an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary.
Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than 15 years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish.
Missionary Work
Upon his arrival in Ireland, St. Patrick was initially met with hostile resistance. But St. Patrick quickly managed to spread Christian teachings far and wide.
Through preaching, writing and performing countless baptisms, he convinced Pagan Druids that they were worshiping idols under a belief system that kept them enslaved.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D.
Sometime after the saint's death the whole of Ireland decided that they should honour the man who brought their land to God. They would shut down all the shops and go to church. After that they would have a toast to St. Patrick. This is where it all began.
The tradition spread and now one of the largest St. Patrick's day parades takes place in New York!
Although St. Patrick's day is an excuse to wear green and have fun, let us not forget the reason for celebrating this day.