So what is St. Patrick’s Day all about? Dr. Karen Allen shared the results of her
research concerning this day that has become a major day of celebration. Saint Patrick
was a fifth‐century Romano‐British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as
the “Apostle of Ireland”, he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, although he technically
was never officially canonized as a Saint. Several legends are attributed to St. Patrick
including: (1) Saint Patrick teaching the Irish about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity by
showing people the shamrock, a three‐leafed plant, using it to illustrate the Christian
teaching of three persons in one God and (2) Banishing all snakes in Ireland by chasing
them into the sea after they attacked him during a 40‐day fast he was undertaking on
top of a hill. No matter who or what he was, we now have a special day that encourages
drinking a lot of green beer.
