March the 17th is supposedly the anniversary of Patrick's death. Where he died is an altogether different issue with several places in Ireland claiming to be the place.
Despite being the patron saint of Irish Catholics, the one document Patrick left behind, his confession, does not make any mention to the church in Rome or its practices. In fact, the confession would be an acceptable document in most Evangelical churches. It is likely that Patrick was much closer in doctrine to the New Testament Church than to Rome.
Patrick was not Irish but Roman-British. He was stolen away as a slave by Irish bandits when he was sixteen years old. Later after his escape, he felt compelled by God to return to Ireland with the Gospel. The old myth of him driving the snakes out of Ireland probably has more to do with the conquest of paganism than any ficticious reptiles. There is no evidence that there ever were any snakes in Ireland. If you were a cold-blooded reptile, would you make your home in a place known for its cold and damp?
Northern Ireland has been known for its sectarian violence. The Troubles were a particularly violent period from the late 60"s to the 90's. One unexpected blessing from those difficult days, has been the faithfulness of many in the protestant community to the Gospel. While the rest of the U.K. is a wasteland for Christianity, Northern Ireland still has a vibrant evangelical community.
Despite being the patron saint of Irish Catholics, the one document Patrick left behind, his confession, does not make any mention to the church in Rome or its practices. In fact, the confession would be an acceptable document in most Evangelical churches. It is likely that Patrick was much closer in doctrine to the New Testament Church than to Rome.
Patrick was not Irish but Roman-British. He was stolen away as a slave by Irish bandits when he was sixteen years old. Later after his escape, he felt compelled by God to return to Ireland with the Gospel. The old myth of him driving the snakes out of Ireland probably has more to do with the conquest of paganism than any ficticious reptiles. There is no evidence that there ever were any snakes in Ireland. If you were a cold-blooded reptile, would you make your home in a place known for its cold and damp?
Northern Ireland has been known for its sectarian violence. The Troubles were a particularly violent period from the late 60"s to the 90's. One unexpected blessing from those difficult days, has been the faithfulness of many in the protestant community to the Gospel. While the rest of the U.K. is a wasteland for Christianity, Northern Ireland still has a vibrant evangelical community.
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