person whose name is on this day, is revered as a saint who brought on the Emerald Isle the Christian faith.While the researchers note that Christianity existed there until St. Patrick.In addition, some scientists even suggest that this character - a collective image.
Whatever it was, there is an official biography of St. Patrick.She says that in 373 ADin Britain, the son of Roman citizens and Kalfurniusa Konchessy, was born a boy, who was named Mevin Sukkat.His father was a small landowner Mevina and deacon of the local church.The boy was far from faith in the true God, at least as long as 16 years of age it is not captured into slavery and taken to Ireland.There Mevin was in the service of a local leader, and six years pass livestock - sheep and pigs.
was at this time Mevin despair and turned to religion.A young man frantically prayed and the Lord took pity on him - one night Mevin heard a voice, to show him the way out of slavery.
overcome many obstacles, the young man returned to Britain, but to the chagrin of their loved ones again, have voluntarily left home and went to Gaul (present-day France) to become a minister of the church.After a few years of service, he is devoting his bishop and anoint Patritsiusom, which means "father of his people."Perhaps Patritsius - is not a name but a title.
Around 432, on behalf of Pope Celestine I Saint Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary.The peculiarity of the establishment of Christianity in Ireland was that it was accepted almost without bloodshed.The people with the transition to the new rulers of faith en masse, and the rulers of Saint Patrick provided every assistance.This can be explained by two reasons.Firstly, the brightness of the personality of St. Patrick, his exceptional gift of persuasion.Second, (or rather, in the first place) that bloodless change of ideology was at this time more than ever favorable to kings and military aristocracy, who sought to get out from under the ancient Celtic priests, Druids, in full use of their right to restrict rulersPowers.
With St. Patrick's personality, with his activities as a missionary associated with many legends.Thus, it is believed that it was he who brought writing to Ireland, and drove all the snakes from the island.Saint Patrick died 17marta 493 (according to another version, 461 th) year.This day will forever remain in the grateful memory of the Irish.
Traditions
Despite the fact that Saint Patrick - the eponymous hero of the feast - remembered as a zealous Christian faith, in the celebration of this Day is closely intertwined pagan and Christian traditions.It is difficult to separate one from another, and not necessary, because it is a stratagem makes a popular holiday favorite.
to Christian traditions include the annual pilgrims climbing the holy mountain «Croagh Patrick».Tradition says that it was on this mountain Saint Patrick made one of his miracles - drove all the snakes.Legend has it that one of the reptiles did not want to leave the Emerald Isle.Patrick had to go to the trick.He lured the snake inside the large box and threw it into the sea.Of course, this is just a legend, but the snakes in Ireland do not.
Another legend has it that on this mountain Saint Patrick fasted for forty days and nights.God feared that the missionary would die without fulfilling his purpose in life.Gd spoke to Patrick asking to terminate his post, but he replied that he agreed to do so only under three conditions: the Irish have become loose, Ireland will go under water in the seven years before the end of the world to avoid disaster and destruction, and to himself, Patrick couldjudge people per hour of the Great Court.Time to go deep into the tradition to attach to clothing leaf shamrock to symbolize the cross.There is a hymn, which tells that Saint Patrick using the shamrock, stop doing in irlanskoy royal capital at the time - Tara pagan ritual.Also, using the shamrock Patrick explains to the congregation the meaning of the Holy Trinity - one of the main symbols of Christianity ("like the three leaves growing from a single stem, God could be one in three persons").
refers to the folk tradition of drinking at least one wine glasses of alcohol in any Irish bar.There is a so-called "Charca Patrick" - a unit of measurement drunk whiskey.Tradition dictates put in a glass leaf clover before drinking a glass of whiskey.The people and say - "drain the shamrock."Interestingly, in most of Ireland St. Patrick's Day has long been considered exclusively a religious holiday, but until the seventies of the last century Irish pubs laws forbade work on March 17!
In folk tradition, this holiday is accepted to meet in green clothes (green - the color of spring, Ireland and the shamrock).It is also desirable to decorate your living or suit stylized sprig of shamrock and an Irish flag.Gradually the custom of pinning the garment sprigs live trefoil, which is considered a symbol of a holiday in Ireland.Traditionally, St. Patrick's Day parades.On the streets people come dressed in extravagant costumes.It is attended by brass bands from the famous bagpipes.Currently, the festival parade in honor of St. Patrick's Day involved hundreds of millions of people around the world.
holiday symbol
in symbolism, as well as the tradition of celebrating St. Patrick's Day, which is closely intertwined pagan and Christian motivy.Trudno separate one from the other, but it is a weave, paint the bright colors of the holiday, this day has turned into a national and even international.
Ironically, the symbol of St. Patrick's Day is not considered very holy because it is - a serious character, and the holiday is very cheerful and life-affirming.
symbols of St. Patrick's Day began attributes that can be called "vizitnoykartochkoy" Ireland.This shamrock and green (symbolizing, in turn, is life itself, and the victory of spring over winter, and the joy that is associated both with Celtic mythology and Catholicism), and mythical characters - leprechauns (in particular, their hats), harp and shileyla, and, perhaps, the whiskey.Actually, not so much the drink, as the custom to drink it in a special way on this day.
There is a so-called "Charca Patrick" - a unit of measurement drunk whiskey.Before the ritual "embedding trefoil" ends the festival.The last glass of whiskey drunk (in Russia it is called "one for the road") ought to put a piece of clover before drain it, that is drink.The people so far and say - "drain the shamrock."Then trefoil should be removed from the empty glass and throw over your left shoulder.Today, this remains only a ritual phrase "drain the shamrock."
Leprechaun - though the character of Celtic mythology, but a symbol of St. Patrick's Day has become not so long ago.Companies that are engaged in manufacturing greeting cards, posters and other "visual aids" St. Patrick's Day, it was necessary to choose a fun fairy-tale creature whose image can be placed anywhere.Himself the protagonist, that is Saint Patrick is not suitable for such a role, as though he is kind, but nevertheless a very serious character.
general leprechauns - this small fantasy creatures, a business of shoemaking - sew boots for other fantasy creatures.They wear green clothes (not to be seen in the grass), a pointed hat and a leather apron.
leprechauns constantly drink Potin (Irish moonshine), so it is always drunk, but it does not interfere with their work.Also sew boots, leprechauns duties include search and storage of ancient treasures.This forced them to engage in the Vikings, who hunted theft of treasures.After that leprechauns began at night to sneak into the house to sleep and people to pinch off a small piece of each coin.Each family or leprechaun leprechauns belongs pot of gold coins.To protect their treasures, being wary of people, because they believe their greedy, mean and stupid.
Of course, if you decide to confirm the opinion of the people leprechauns, boldly look for them with the treasure of hammering.Leprechaun, which is still caught, usually promises a rich ransom for his release.The little shoemaker has two different koshelechka: one is a silver shilling, which always returns to the purse, and the other - the coin of pure gold, which when placed in the hands of a man turning into a tree leaf or paper, and sometimes ash.Therefore, from the leprechaun anything good we should not wait!
In fact, leprechauns are very friendly and lovely creatures, but if you offend these gentle creatures, they immediately become "monsters."They may take offense if the house they have left a saucer of milk.Also, in their anger cause broken thorns, killed a robin, and, of course, they get angry, having lost treasures.After these violations once they demonstrate their vindictive nature and magic.So be careful and do not hurt fairy folk.
As symbols of St. Patrick's Day is considered to be everything that people in other countries associated with Ireland, it applies to them and harp.Picture gold harp with twelve strings on a blue field, emblazoned on the arms of Ireland.For the first time the Irish coat of arms in this performance was recorded (listed in the catalog coats of arms) already in 1280.The coat of arms of Great Britain golden harp on a blue background depicts Ireland from the time of James I Stuart (since 1603).
golden color and made of gold before it symbolizes strength, power and authority, and according to Christian belief - is loyalty, honesty, peace and harmony.Blue or azure color symbolized probity, purity, generosity, honesty, and, of course, the sky which includes all of these definitions.The national flag of Ireland, the harp figures since they are based Irish Free State;it is officially approved November 9, 1945.
word "shileyla" likely, little known people living in Russia.Shileyloy called a staff made of oak wood.In addition, in the old days in County Wicklow there was an oak grove with the same name.Shileyla needed for the game of curling (it was used as a stick), she also served as a walking stick, and sometimes weapons.Some were even two staff, one needed to strike, and the other - to reflect.Nowadays, for the production of shileyly not use oak and blackthorn.
What can you give
While St. Patrick's Day was considered the only religious holiday and all the pubs in the day were closed (up to 70-ies), celebrated its mostly at home - visited each other's homes, treat, fun, tell a different story.Of course, the guests did not go with empty hands - carried with them gifts.And as without them the holiday ?!
This tradition is relevant for the present time, despite the fact that the festival "took to the streets," and the main action takes place during the parade, fireworks and other entertainment events.What can we give to the St. Patrick's Day?What symbolizes this holiday - a figure or image leprechauns, irish heraldry, garments green hat, red wigs ... Ireland continues to visit each other's homes, taking with him a pot of clover.
Photo source: nnm.ru
Articles Source: patrickday.ru
