The Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, that we associate with lavish parades, green beer, and corned beef and cabbage, has fascinating historic roots. St Patrick’s Day has roots in religion and conflict. Today many people see this a a day to party, but that hasn’t always been the case.
St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration honoring Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was born more than 1600 years ago. His tumultuous life included slavery,escape, dedication to God and priesthood. being enslaved in Ireland at the age of 16. He returned to Ireland, the land where he had been enslaved, to convert pagans to Christianity.
The popular legend of St. Patrick is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. However, there are no snakes in Ireland, and there probably never have been.The snakes of legend, more likely were symbolic of the many pagans that he converted to Christianity. Snakes had been a symbol of evil since the story of the Garden of Eden in the Bible Book of Genesis. St. Patrick is also credited with using the simple green shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity of The God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to the Irish. The shamrock has been associated with St. Patrick and the Irish people ever since. Today 93% of Ireland is Catholic.
The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade originated as an act of defiance against the British. In the 17th and 18th century Ireland, there was a British rule that prohibited pubic demonstrations by the Irish. The rule allowed the Irish only the right to religious processions. On St. Patrick’s Day the Irish held “religious processions” after Mass through the streets of Dublin.
The St. Patrick’s celebrations in the U.S.A. honor the Irish immigrants who were an important part of our nation’s heritage.Many Catholics start the holiday by attending Mass, in honor of their patron saint.
The St. Patrick’s Day holiday is a festive celebration, with many people wearing green clothing, armbands and carnations. Parades all over the country will have floats, bands, bagpipes and leprechauns. Following are some of the celebrations that you can find in Connecticut this year.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Greater New haven, Connecticut
Sunday,. March 11
1 pm
Greater New Haven’s St Patrick Day Parade tradition was born in New Haven on March 17, 1842. About 90 members of the Hibernian Provident Society, a mutual aide organization, marched through the city with a banner. That first parade included St. Patrick in bishop’s robes, and Irish wolfhound, a harp, shamrocks and a portrait of General Richard Montgomery, an Irish-born hero of the American Revolution.
Today, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Greater New Haven has become on the New England’s premier Irish events. It is the largest, single day spectator event in the State of Connecticut. This is also the sixth oldest St. Patrick Parade in the United States. The fame of the Greater New Haven Parade was recognized by the Library of Congress in 1999. the Library of Congress selected the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade as an outstanding example of American folk life. The event attracts an estimated 200,000 spectators.
Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Downtown Hartford, CT
Saturday, March 17
11 am
The 36th annual event begins at Capitol Avenue by the State Capitol. The towns will march in the following order: CCCCC Irish American Home Society, Hartford, Newington, Suffield, Manchester, Eufield, Rocky Hill, Vernon, East Hartford, South Windsor, South Windsor, Glastonbury and Wethersfield.
Jason Charneski and Friends: “My Eire”, a program of music by Irish composers, follow Hartford’s St. Patrick Day Parade. Produced b Music and the Arts at Center Church. Center Church, 60 Gold St. Hartford, CT. $10 donation.
1007 Greenwich Saint Patrick’s Parade
Sunday, March 25
2 pm
the Greenwich Hibernian Association is celebrating their 33rd annual St. Patrick’s Day event.
Mystic St. Patrick’s Parade
Sunday, March 25
1 pm
This is the 4th annual parade celebrating Celtic and Gaelic customs and traditions. Last year’s parade attracted 9,000 spectators.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. Enjoy the holiday in good health. It is always a good idea to verify information before making a trip.
