<P> Saint Patrick 's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church , the Anglican Communion ( especially the Church of Ireland ) , the Eastern Orthodox Church , and the Lutheran Church . The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland , and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general . Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals , cèilidhs , and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks . Christians who belong to liturgical denominations also attend church services and historically the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for the day , which has encouraged and propagated the holiday 's tradition of alcohol consumption . </P>
<P> Saint Patrick 's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church , the Anglican Communion ( especially the Church of Ireland ) , the Eastern Orthodox Church , and the Lutheran Church . The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland , and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general . Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals , cèilidhs , and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks . Christians who belong to liturgical denominations also attend church services and historically the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for the day , which has encouraged and propagated the holiday 's tradition of alcohol consumption . </P>
when did st patrick 's day become a holiday
when did st patrick 's day become a holiday
in the early 17th century
in the early 17th century