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Commemorated on March
17th
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 4
Most glorious art Thou, Christ our God, who didst establish our Father
Patrick as the Enlightener of the Irish and a torch-bearer on earth, and through
him didst guide many to the true Faith. Most Compassionate One, glory to
Thee.
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: www.oca.org,
Menologian Software 2.0
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