St. Urho

In Northern Minnesota during the 1950's a legend of St. Urho started. Whether it was a fable created b Sulo Havumaki of Bemidj or the tongue n cheek tales told by Richard Mattson of Virginia is not for sure. What is for sure is that the legend has grown from North Americans of Finnish descent to the point where St. Urho is known and celebrated across the United States and Canada and yes even in Finland.

March 16th is St. Urho's day. This is the day before the feast of some minor saint from Ireland. The saint from Ireland you all may know is the one responsible for driving snakes from the Island. St. Urho has been given the credit for chasing grasshoppers from ancient Finland. With the grasshoppers gone the grape crop was saved as well as the jobs of vineyard workers. How did he do the feat?? The term "Heinasirkka, mene taalta hiiteen" which when translated means "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to Hell" To celebrate wear the colors of royal purple and nile green because grapes and grasshoppers help represent the day.