Saint Patrick is believed to have been born in the late fourth century, and is often confused with Palladius, a bishop who was sent by Pope Celestine in 431 to be the first bishop to the Irish believers in Christ.
Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Most of what is known about him comes from his two works, the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Saint Patrick described himself as a "most humble-mined man, pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols and unclean things had become the people of God."
Saint Patrick is best known for driving the snakes from Ireland. It is true there are no snakes in Ireland, but there probably never have been - the Island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age. As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common and often worshipped. Driving the snakes from Ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice. While not the first to bring Christianity to Ireland, it is Patrick who is said to have encountered the Druids at Tata and abolished their pagan rites. The story holds that he converted the warrior chiefs and princes, baptizing them with thousands of their subjects in the "Holy Wells" that still bear this name.
Click HERE for an overview of the parade route and parking.
Parade Dedication
Lt. Robert L. Bagshaw
In Memory
Lieutenant Robert “Bob” Bagshaw served the City of Manassas with great distinction for more than 33 years. He was one of the longest serving members in the history of the Police Department. Bob also served his Country in the U.S. Army Security Agency and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
