With the famed Green Beer, Green River holiday approaching, and the fact that I’m the only Realtor in Central Florida wearing a kilt on the daily, I thought it only appropriate to take this week’s entry to talk about St Patrick, and his namesake day. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll learn a little bit about the holiday that earns you a free beer at the bar!

Who was Patrick - Vanquisher of Snakes? 

He wasn’t Irish… that’s for certain. He was actually from Britain and living under the control of the Roman Empire. At 16, his family’s villa - yeah he's from a wealthy family - was attacked by pirates from Hibernia and he was taken as a slave. Six years into captivity he writes that he received a vision from an angel that it was time to leave. After fleeing his captors and walking from the west coast to the east coast of the island, he returned to Britain. After a second angelic vision saying he should return to the Emerald Isle, he began training for missionary work. 

There were no Snakes

St Patrick was not the first missionary. In fact, when he arrived back to Hibernia there was already a Bishop by the name of Palladius there. The difference is that Patrick became the most successful missionary in Irish History and that’s why he's called the Patron Saint of Ireland; for starting the conversion of Ireland to Catholicism.

St Patrick was known for his fair dealings with the various tribes. He would bring gifts during his visits to build rapport, but would never take gifts to avoid confrontation with neighboring tribes for showing favoritism.  He writes in Confessio that his work was dangerous because the risk of Martyrdom was high. And there were a few instances in his travels where instead of hospitality, he received irons and bondage from the local leader.

Being Britain he was more familiar with Celtic culture over Roman. Latin, the official language of the Lord in 400 AD, was believed to be a second or third language for him. This translated to him being much more welcomed in the tribes of Hibernia. Not to mention he took a life of poverty during his missionary work and rebuked his once privileged life. 

America Does it Differently

March 17th, 1631, the first St Patrick's Day feast is thrown at the behest of the Catholic Church marking the beginning, officially, of St Patrick's Day. But, for being the Patron Saint of Ireland and LITERALLY CALLED Saint Patrick, Patrick isn't an official Saint. At the time of his death, the church didn't have a formal way induct people to Saintdom. Instead, St Patrick is a de facto Saint; agreed upon by the masses, but without the paperwork.

While the Church formally ordained March 17th as a holiday, the holiday was first recognized in 1601 in the Spanish colony of St Augustine, Florida. 

Let's rewind that… the Patron Saint of Ireland, who wasn't actually a Saint, was first honored by the Spanish in America, 30 years before the Catholic church? The history checks out even if the logic doesnt. 

The first holidays were religious in nature. A parade and church services was pretty normal. In fact, from 1700 until the 1970s, it was actually illegal to consume or sell alcohol in Ireland on March 17th. It was a day to be revered, not celebrated. Irish immigrants coming to America slowly began to change the celebration. Morphing from quiet adoration and religious piety into the beer drinking block party with green rivers and shamrocks in terrible beer that we all know.

St Patrick’s Day has had many celebrations and iterations of celebration. But some things havent changed. It's a religious day. We're talking about a man who lived ready to die for his beliefs. He was able to live long enough to die naturally, but he was in hostile lands for most of his life telling people their beliefs are wrong. Bar fights on his holiday have been started over less. 

He is a revered figure in Catholic Canon. So it's important to get a few things correct.  It's Saint Patrick's Day. Or Paddy's Day. But under no circumstance is it ever St Patty's Day. Paddy is short for Patrick or Padraig. Patty is feminine for Patricia. Honestly though, Paddy has been termed to be a nickname, and sometimes a slur, towards those of Irish descent. Personally, because it's the name of an important historical figure, I defer to St Patrick to honor the name. 

This St Patrick's Day I wish you good health. Good deeds. And good craic. 

And when you need expert real estate service, The Kilted Team is only a call away!

JOIN my Facebook group if you love Central Florida! Hosting one in person meetup a month.