Some True Tales And

By Leocthasme

Well, this seems to be true about Saint Patrick, he was born in Northern England (what may now be part of Ireland today.) His Parents were Romans who were sent by Rome to govern that area. His Roman name was Patricius. His actual date of birth is not known, but it is around 389AD. He died according to Irish records on March 17, 461AD. Thereby the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day on that date. About that time, Rome had been Christianized, and Parricius' father was more or less an appointed bishop, and that was more or less a convenience to him rather than his practice. As a young boy Patricius knew of Christianity too, however believed as his parents did, it was not his practice. One other fact stands out, in what I can determine from available research. (SAINT) Patrick, who did more for the spread of Christianity in Northern England in his time, was never canonized a SAINT by the Church of Rome, however the Irish recognized him as a Saint, from earliest times. To this day he is called a Saint by most Catholics of the world, regardless of his canonization.

As a young boy in his teens, he was captured and enslaved by Druid marauders. He was made to tend sheep and virtually lived with his herd day and night. During six long years of slavery, he began praying to God for his freedom. Much of this history is written in his 'Confessions' which can be found in most Encyclopedias or on the web at various URL's. If you type 'St. Patrick' or 'Ireland' on your browser, you will find many, many sites relating to him.

After his captivity, in which he prayed constantly for freedom, he studied Christianity under a French Bishop, Germanus of Auxerre, and later asked to be sent to the people (who had enslaved him) as their spiritual leader. He returned to Northern England in about 430 ad and spread Christianity throughout the early Irish Druids and Pagans. To this day the Irish People have never forgotten him, and revere him as the Patron Saint of Ireland.

And, here are some Myths, about Patrick.

It is always said that he cast the snakes out of Ireland, however in his writings he at times refers to snakes as those being Lucifers, or sinners, somewhat a reference to the snake who deceived Adam and Eve. He went to each Druid leader in turn and either taught them Christianity, or cast them out of his area so that they would not continue to teach their pagan ways, thereby his casting out of 'snakes'.

The story about the Shamrocks is not so much a myth as it is a representation of his teaching of the Mystical Being of God. It is said he showed the shamrock, which were abundant, to his followers to explain the Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thereby the Shamrock Isle.

By the time of his death, he had baptized 10's of thousands and established hundreds of churches throughout Ireland. Within a century the once pagan land of Druids became predominantly Christian, possessing such a vigorous faith that Ireland sent its own missionaries to other parts of Europe.

So much for one of the True Apostles of Christianity. Not a full piece on Saint Patrick, but for more, look him up.

Just a way of saying to all, Irish or otherwise,