In America, on March 17 every year we celebrate a holiday that almost everyone is familiar with, St. Patrick's day. While most people know about the traditions of St. Patrick's day, many do not know who St. Patrick is or why the holiday is celebrated. While most people think that he was born in Ireland he was actually born in AD 387 near Hadrian's wall in Britain. When he was a teenager he was kidnapped by pagans to work as a slave in Ireland. After six years of being captured he escaped to his family but vowed to return because he loved the spirit of Ireland. He studied in monasteries for a long time until he was ordained a bishop. Then he was commissioned to return to Ireland to spread the word about the Catholic church. He traveled to many towns tearing down idols and temples. He also made many schools and monasteries, and baptized and ordained priests as he traveled. Eventually he had converted almost all of the Irish population to Cristianity. After many years as serving as a bishop he eventually died on March 17, 461.