Saint Patrick: Ireland's most famous immigrant
Whether he came from England, Scotland or Wales -- we can't be sure -- one thing we do know is that Saint Patrick wasn't from Ireland. This 5th century Roman Briton was apparently abducted at the age of 16 and brought to Ireland by slave-traders; six years later, he escaped back to the larger island to the right of us, then returned as a missionary priest some years after that. If there are no snakes in Ireland it is because of the Ice Age, rather than Patrick's episcopal crook. But the influence of Christianity on this island, which this legendary figure has come to embody and symbolise, has been immense. Few of Patrick's writings have survived, but we do have two documents, his Confession and his Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus, which give us a sense of the person behind the legend
We remember him today in Ireland because March 17 is thought to be the day on which he died sometime after AD 460 (ish). His grave is reputed to be outside Down Cathedral in Downpatrick -- which certainly sounds like the place where the saint was laid down to his rest. Down's claim is not undisputed, however Another tradition has it that St. Patrick ended his days in England and was buried in Glastonbury. The Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Abbey.
I'm not a betting man, but if I was, my money would be on Wales as the birthplace of Patrick. As for his burial site, your guess is as good as mine; but I'm not prepared to challenge the claim of Down Cathedral.
Incidentally, as this image shows, Patrick is also venerated within the Orthodox Communion, with many examples of icons celebrating his life and work.
Comments
Isn't the whole thing an invention? I don't think Patrick even existed. He's like a hero from Greek mythology or like Moses in the Bible, or Abraham even. These figures are legendary and they are the source of many stories which can't be confirmed but they never actually existed historically.
No archaeological evidence can be found to prove that Moses or Abraham existed. The same holds for Saint Patrick. Even calling him a saint is a misnomer, since he was never officially named as a saint by any pope.
I'm all for colourful myths tough. Happy St Patrick's Day Will!
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
Billy, stop using the Bible to attack people. That's not what it's for.
"Isn't the whole thing an invention? "
sure what isn't??
:)
Satan the organ grinder has his monkey’s spewing out his lie’s day and daily and if the Lord Jesus Christ used the Sword of the Spirit against the lie’s of Satan the organ grinder therefore it is right and just for Christians to use the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God against the seducing spirits, and doctrines, the lie’s of Satan’s monkey’s.
Satan the organ grinder has his monkey’s spewing out his lie’s day and daily and if the Lord Jesus Christ used the Sword of the Spirit against the lie’s of Satan the organ grinder therefore it is right and just for Christians to use the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God against the seducing spirits, and doctrines, the lie’s of Satan’s monkey’s.
Billy,
Are Satan's monkeys the same flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz? It would certainly explain a lot