Green, Green, Green

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen!

Today on this beautiful cold and foggy day I would really like to talk to you about something Irish. Living in a little town where the only place you can go to on a weekend, and not go deaf because of the booming music, is the local Irish Pub I prefer to go drink my beer there instead of anywhere else. Liking the atmosphere in the Pub and that you can still have a conversation without shouting at each other my sister and of our friends go there as well. It's no wonder now that we all have heard about St. Patrick’s Day, where the Pub is stuffed and everybody is dressed in green. Thinking back it's a bit funny how all these people celebrate something they probably know nothing about except that it is just really awesome to wear green and have a shamrock painted on your cheek. There is green coloured Cider and silly hats to be won too, so who wouldn't want to join in? I really have no problem with people having fun ,and all and I have to admit I didn't know much about St. Patrick until a little while ago, but wouldn't it be wise and respectful to actually know what you are celebrating?

For the upcoming St. Patrick's Day on the 17^th of March, the anniversary of Saint Patrick's death, let's just have a little crash course. For example did you know that he was from Scotland, got captured by Irish fishermen who took him to Ireland and kept him as a slave? In this time, working outside, being lonely and afraid he turned to God and became a faithful Christian. He managed to escape after around six years and went home but returned later as a missionary. Knowing the language of the Irish and their traditions he tried to bring God into their lives. Using is knowledge of the people and their lives to his advantage Patrick did not only use traditionally Christian symbols but combined them with those the people he tried to convert already knew. For example he added a sun to the cross creating the Celtic cross, making the importance of his religion easier to grasp for the Irish people. He also used the three-leafed shamrock to explain to them the trinity. Additionally Patrick was said to have banished all snakes from Ireland but it's thought to be a symbol of him bringing Christianity to the people, triumphing over Paganism. Today he is a patriotic symbol and there are many traditions with either a strong connection with religion or national identity. As I said before Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17^th and is both a holy day and a national holiday in Ireland.

 

I don't know about you but in my opinion people should at least know whom they are celebrating, not only because it's interesting but because it shows a certain kind of respect for the traditions of other people. I personally would feel bad if Irish owner of our local pub would ask me what St. Patrick's Day is about and not have a clue.

But enough of that, I would really appreciate your opinion on this matter. Is it important for you to know things like that? Is it disrespectful to not know at least a bit about the celebration you are joining?