SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Savannah has kicked off the week leading to its massive St. Patrick's Day celebration with a much more quiet ceremony honoring the city's Irish heritage.

The Savannah Morning News reports (http://bit.ly/Ocx3Pu ) the coastal city held its 30th Celtic Cross Ceremony on Sunday with a procession from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to Emmet Park, where a Celtic cross monument stands near the downtown riverfront.

The ceremony celebrates past, present and future generations of Irish-Americans. During the program, the Rev. Jeremiah McCarthy blessed an orange and green wreath placed at the base of the limestone Celtic cross.

Savannah's annual St. Patrick's Day parade will be held next Monday. Irish immigrants began celebrating the holiday with a procession in Georgia's oldest city 190 years ago.