Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of Ireland was born around 385, the
son of Calpurnius, a Roman decurion (an official responsible for
collecting taxes). He lived in the village of Bannavem Taberniae, which
may have been located at the mouth of the Severn River in Wales. The
district was raided by pirates when Patrick was sixteen, and he was one
of those taken captive. He was brought to Ireland and sold as a slave,
and was put to work as a herder of swine on a mountain identified with
Slemish in Co. Antrim. During his period of slavery, Patrick acquired a
proficiency in the Irish language which was very useful to him in his
later mission.
He prayed during his solitude on the mountain, and
lived this way for six years. He had two visions. The first told him he
would return to his home. The second told him his ship was ready.
Setting off on foot, Patrick walked two hundred miles to the coast.
There he succeeded in boarding a ship, and returned to his parents in
Britain.
Some time later, he went to Gaul and studied for the
priesthood at Auxerre under St Germanus (July 31). Eventually, he was
consecrated as a bishop, and was entrusted with the mission to Ireland,
succeeding St Palladius (July 7). St Palladius did not achieve much
success in Ireland. After about a year he went to Scotland, where he
died in 432.
Patrick had a dream in which an angel came to him
bearing many letters. Selecting one inscribed “The Voice of the Irish,”
he heard the Irish entreating him to come back to them.
Although
St Patrick achieved remarkable results in spreading the Gospel, he was
not the first or only missionary in Ireland. He arrived around 432
(though this date is disputed), about a year after St Palladius began
his mission to Ireland. There were also other missionaries who were
active on the southeast coast, but it was St Patrick who had the
greatest influence and success in preaching the Gospel of Christ.
Therefore, he is known as “The Enlightener of Ireland.”
His
autobiographical Confession tells of the many trials and disappointments
he endured. Patrick had once confided to a friend that he was troubled
by a certain sin he had committed before he was fifteen years old. The
friend assured him of God’s mercy, and even supported Patrick’s
nomination as bishop. Later, he turned against him and revealed what
Patrick had told him in an attempt to prevent his consecration. Many
years later, Patrick still grieved for his dear friend who had publicly
shamed him.
St Patrick founded many churches and monasteries
across Ireland, but the conversion of the Irish people was no easy task.
There was much hostility, and he was assaulted several times. He faced
danger, and insults, and he was reproached for being a foreigner and a
former slave. There was also a very real possibility that the pagans
would try to kill him. Despite many obstacles, he remained faithful to
his calling, and he baptized many people into Christ.
The saint’s
Epistle to Coroticus is also an authentic work. In it he denounces the
attack of Coroticus’ men on one of his congregations. The Breastplate
(Lorica) is also attributed to St Patrick. In his writings, we can see
St Patrick’s awareness that he had been called by God, as well as his
determination and modesty in undertaking his missionary work. He refers
to himself as “a sinner,” “the most ignorant and of least account,” and
as someone who was “despised by many.” He ascribes his success to God,
rather than to his own talents: “I owe it to God’s grace that through me
so many people should be born again to Him.”
By the time he
established his episcopal See in Armargh in 444, St Patrick had other
bishops to assist him, many native priests and deacons, and he
encouraged the growth of monasticism.
St Patrick is often depicted
holding a shamrock, or with snakes fleeing from him. He used the
shamrock to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Its three
leaves growing out of a single stem helped him to explain the concept of
one God in three Persons. Many people now regard the story of St
Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland as having no historical
basis.
St Patrick died on March 17, 461 (some say 492). There are
various accounts of his last days, but they are mostly legendary.
Muirchu says that no one knows the place where St Patrick is buried. St
Columba of Iona (June 9) says that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that
Patrick was buried at Saul, the site of his first church. A granite slab
was placed at his traditional grave site in Downpatrick in 1899.
Troparion — Tone 3
Holy Bishop Patrick, / Faithful shepherd of Christ’s royal flock, /
You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel: / The mighty
strength of the Trinity! / Now that you stand before the Savior, / Pray
that He may preserve us in faith and love!
Kontakion — Tone 4
From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ’s service: / He sent
you to deliver Ireland from the devil’s bondage. / You planted the Word
of the Gospel in pagan hearts. / In your journeys and hardships you
rivaled the Apostle Paul! / Having received the reward for your labors
in heaven, / Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on
earth, / Holy bishop Patrick!
Source-Oca.Org
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