About the Author

Richard Cochrane is trained in chemistry and metallurgy but is far more interested and practiced as a political and fund raising consultant, writer and amateur historian. He grew up in a Navy family and with his two younger brothers carried on its 500+ year tradition of naval service to Great Britain and the USA then enjoyed a career with one of the largest advertising and public relations agencies working with numerous Fortune 500 companies and many of America's premier educational institutions. He maintains friendships and acquaintanceships around the world. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

See All Posts by This Author

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

March 16th, 2008 • Richard Cochrane

shamrock.jpg

HAPPY TRADITIONAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY. Saint Patrick (Latin: Patricius, Irish: Naomh Pádraig) was a Christian missionary and is the patron saint of Ireland along with Brigid of Kildare and Columba. Patrick was born sometime around 408-410 AD in Roman Britain. When he was about sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. He entered religious life and study returned to Ireland as a missionary Patrick ministering in northern Ireland from 433 AD onwards.  According to the latest reconstruction of the old Irish annals, Patrick died in AD 493. Legend says Patrick banned snakes from Ireland but post glacial Ireland never had snakes so that for which he is so well-known is myth. It is much more likely that St. Patrick used the three-leafed Shamrock to teach the Trinity, as in te Nicene Creed opposed to the popular if contrary Arian nontrionitarian idea. There is no proof of the enduring Shamrock legend. 

By the 8th century he had become the patron saint of Ireland. March 17th is believed to be the date of Patrick’s death and why his festival is usually that date. This year St. Patrick’s Day falls during HOLY WEEK so it was officially celebrated March 14th.

Last 5 posts by

Post a Response

*
To prove you're a person (not a spam script), type the security word shown in the picture.
Anti-Spam Image

Back To Hypocrisy.com    Communities: