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" It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63

Sunday 17 March 2019

St Patrick - will the real Patrick please stand up!

This post is taken mainly from notes by a dear friend, Robin J. She prepared it for a Ladies High Tea. (Image is Robin J. dressed up as St Patrick! 😊)

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All references are clickable and will bring up reference.
There is much not known for sure about St Patrick or Patricus, as he called himself. Today the 17th of March is commonly celebrated as St Patrick's day, and legend has it was the date of his death. God however does not allow everything to be revealed.
Thankfully we may stand on God's word as surely as St Patrick did.
Born around 375 AD near Glasgow to a Roman family, one of 7 children in a Christian home.
His Father was a deacon, and his Grandfather an elder, and they were a wealthy family. 
His real name was Maewyn Succat (later he changed it to Patricus, when a missionary).
Patricus means "fatherly".
Attending church, he learned of Jesus and Bible, but was NOT a lover of God or a saved man.
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At 16, Irish pirates invaded his villiage, he and his two sisters were among 1,000 captives sold as slaves over the Irish sea in Northern Ireland.
Patrick was sold to a wealthy but cruel Druid. He lived for 6 years in caves and outdoors as a shepherd. He had no food allowance (told "go hunt") and declares he was almost naked, starving and cruelly treated.
He began to pray. He believed God was punishing him for his sin and neglect of the Bible, and not believing in Jesus. He called upon God up to 100 times in a day. 
He believed now in his troubles, that Jesus truly was "the way, the truth and the life, and that no man comes to the Father but by Me" John 14:6
He confessed his sin to God in prayer (I John 1:9) and up there in Slemish Mt., Antrim Co. he was born again (John 3:3) and made part of God's family. (Romans 10:13).
At the end of six years, he believed a dream he had and walked 200 miles to reach a ship to Caledonia. (Romans 12:1,2)  In his twenties, he studied thd Bible and Latin in France, and was ordained as a priest. (2 Tim 2:15)
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He dreamed of the other slaves back in Ireland calling him to teach them (Acts 16:9). He went, although his family didn’t not give their blessing.
Patrick preached from handwritten Latin gospels and established halls (Scriptorium) where laymen spent time copying the scriptures.
Each place he went to this was the pattern: preach, copy the Bible, establish a church. 
For over 30 years Patrick travelled all over Ireland. He did not marry but lived celibate for freedom to minister. Priests were allowed to marry in these times (12th century celibacy became mandatory).
Monasteries started in late 500's so Patrick was not in this era either.
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Legends:
Legend 1 - Was never actually canonized a saint, as there was no system for it, nor a Catholic church in this era. (Details here). He is however rightly commonly recognised as the patron saint of Ireland.
Legend 2: Snakes eradicated by St. Patrick. There were according to archaeology no snakes ever in Ireland ( or NZ, Greenland, etc) after the last Ice Age, so none to eradicate.
Legend 3: Trinity was explained, the unity of "three in one" or trinity by the clover or shamrock ☘️
 common in Ireland. No evidence to contrary. 
Patricus had several writings during his ministry and are  surviving even today.
His deep love for the Irish, learning Gaelic as a slave, his Christian home were all part of God's plan to equip him as a missionary.
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Today in the 21st century we also need to know the Lord Jesus personally, to pray and offer our lives for Him to use.
He died around 471 AD (exact date not known), and legend says he is buried in Co. Donegal. But Patrick is not there for his soul and spirit are in heaven with the Lord he loved.
(Absent from the body, present with the Lord  - see full passage HERE 2 Cor. 5:6- 8) 
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God is good, all the time!
How God blessed the Irish and Ireland by this faithful servant Patricus.
It challenges us afresh to do as Patricus did, believe as he believed and follow on!
I pray this has blessed you.
If it blesses you please bless me in return in a comment. If you do comment, I THANK you with all my heart.
Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz. X

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6 comments:

Valerie said...

Thank you so much for taking the time to put together this very informative post! How interesting that he was a shepherd early in life. Especially love the shamrock/clover as illustration of our triune God, perfect illustation of Romans 1:21!

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

Dear sweet Valerie.. your comment is like balm in Gilead. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I never really know if folks get the replies, as I know I havent before but sometimes stumble across them when I happen to come back to same post!
I really wanted to thank you none the less.
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my ye have done it unto Me."
Lord bless you,
Prayer hugs
Sharon.

Valerie said...

I have indeed seen your reply as I came back to correct the verse reference from my first comment--should be verse 20 in Romans 1 :) Your blog shines a much needed and much appreciated light in darkness, so thank YOU, sister in Christ! ---Valerie

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

How kind our Lord is! He picks us up when we are cast down by the love of one far away but not far in Christ! Thank you Valerie so much.
Must admit didn't understand first reference but so agree on the correct one!
Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Lord bless you dear sis. You encouraged me when I was cast down as Titus did to Paul.... 😊
Prayer Hugs Shaz In Oz.x

Betsy said...

I had just read a very similar account of the life of Saint Patrick in the past few days. What an amazing man. I found it interesting that he was willing to travel back to the land he had escaped from. Also the clover representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thank you for sharing today my friend. Blessings, Betsy