Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick of Ireland (Latin Magonus Sucatus Patricius, Irish Pádraig Mac Calprainn, Naomh Pádraig; * End 4./Anfang 5th century in Bannaventa Berniae in Wales or Old Kilpatrick, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, † March 17 461 or 493 in County Down, Ireland) was a Christian missionary and is regarded in Ireland as a national saint.

Background

Modern studies on Patrick often follow a kind of "two- Patrick" theory, as it is represented by TF O'Rahilly. Consequently, a lot of information Patrick were attributed, but originally Palladius, who came in the 5th century as a deacon from Gaul to Ireland concerned. However, Palladius was not the first clergyman who came to Ireland. Here Auxilius, Secundinus and Iserninus are often cited with the first churches in Munster and Leinster. It is also assumed that Palladius was sent by Pope Celestine I to Ireland. The corresponding reference is found in the chronicle of Prosper Tiro of Aquitaine:

" Palladius was ordained by Celestine I and sent as the first bishop to Irish Christians. "

Prosper brings this ordination in connection with the visit of Germanus of Auxerre to suppress the pelagianistischen heresy in Britain. To prevent establishment among Catholic Christians, supposed to have been sent there also Palladius. Against this background, it should have been the mission of Palladius and his companions, to provide for the existing Christians of Ireland, and not to accelerate the spread of Christianity. As Palladius but was later revered as containing the " correct doctrine " elements could be incorporated from his Vita in the Patrick legend.

Living legends

It's hard to win historically secure facts from the legends of the saints, the circled later to Patrick. Therefore, the most reliable information can be found in his own writings (especially the confessio ). Accordingly, he was actually called Patricius - in late antiquity a common Roman name - and was the son of Caponius, a Roman officer who was stationed in the province of Britannia and also worked as a deacon in the local church. Patricius was therefore already educated in the Catholic faith and proud of his religion and Roman culture. From the estate of his parents, he was taken by marauding slavers in the area of ​​the modern province of Ulster.

Quite different is the devout, much later Welsh- Irish legend who knows nothing of a Roman origin Patrick: His original name was Patrick Maewyn accordingly. He was, it is, as Heath was born in Wales. Marauding Irish took him accordingly at the age of 16 years and took him as a slave to Ireland, where he had to herd sheep. There he found solace in Christianity. Continuing along the same legend, he learned, despite his difficult life in bondage - allegedly as a shepherd - to love the rough country and its inhabitants. After about six years, he then an angel is said to have declared that he should flee. He dared to escape and spent the next twelve years in a monastery in what is now Auxerre (France), where he was trained as a priest. Patrick's goal was to return to Ireland to convert the pagans of Ireland. One night, they say, he had been hearing voices that called him back to Ireland, and he meant to recognize as the voice of the Irish people, who asked him to come back.

Pope Celestine I to Patrick therefore have sent 432 as a bishop to Ireland. It is said that he had a sermon at the island of all serpents freed and not only with the power of his words, but with committed effort of his bishop rod. In truth, there has never been any poisonous snakes in the post-glacial Ireland: " The expulsion of the snakes " is meant figuratively and symbolically represents the expulsion of the pagan faith and evil demons; This motif is found in Christian legends associated with many monastic foundations ( eg on the Reichenau ).

Patrick founded monasteries, schools and churches throughout the country and pursued his missionary work until his death (supposedly on March 17, 461 ) from. When he died in County Down, he allegedly converted thousands of Irish to Christianity. Patrick had not only brought his religion, but also his education. Stories were written down by now and no longer passed on orally. His own life story, however, was therefore first perceived in the late 8th century.

While most historians assume that the specification of the sources of the historical Patrick is the son of Christian Roman landowners in Britain have been the case, as I said in almost all other aspects ( including the exact life data) unclear or disputed whether they have a Facts core contain and where this is necessary.

Aftermath

Many places of interest are (usually rather arbitrarily ) associated with it: You can see the church where he preached for the first time, his grave in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, and his statue on Ireland 's holy mountain - Croagh Patrick - where he forty to have spent days without food and water like Jesus in the desert. Thousands of Catholics annual pilgrimage to this mountain. Streets and squares were named after him.

His death was the national holiday of Ireland and is - world of Irish celebrated as her St. Patrick 's Day - in the Irish diaspora.

The name Patrick (boys ) and Patricia (girls) are still popular names for children in Ireland and for Irish descent in America, Australia and other countries. Patrick is often abbreviated to Paddy and Pat, and Paddy is often used as a nickname for the Irish (especially in England).

Eponym

Patrick is, inter alia, Named for

• St. Patrick's Society for Foreign Missions
• Order of Saint Patrick
• Purgatory of St. Patrick, a place of pilgrimage station on Iceland in Lough Derg, County Donegal
• St. Patrick's Iceland (Ireland )
• St. Patrick 's Isle, tidal island
• St. Patrick ( Toronto Subway )
• St Patrick's Athletic Football Club
• Toronto St. Patricks, hockey team

Remembrance

March 17 is the Memorial of St. Patrick:

• Evangelical ( Protestant Remembrance Day in the calendar name of the EKD and the Lutheran Worship ELCA and LCMS )
• Roman Catholic ( non- optional memorial in the general Roman calendar )
• Anglican
• Orthodox

Adoration outside of Christianity

In Haitian Voodoo Patrick is revered by Ireland in the form of Loa Damballah; Here is a syncretism.