Saint Patrick

Written by Parishioner Larry Coyne and Fr. Michael Medis

As Published in The Hunterdon Democrat, March 2004

Funny thing how everyone becomes Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. The Saint has had a powerful effect on folks of all nationalities. His feast day is universally celebrated March 17, on the anniversary of his death over 1,600 years ago, is the best known of all the Celtic saints. To the Orthodox, he is recognized as the man who brought Ireland into the Apostolic Faith. He is also recognized for his use of powerful transcending symbols, and for his spiritual openness to angelic guidance.

A visit to our church will show 3 beautiful icons of Celtic Saints, including St Patrick of Armagh. The Holy Faith first arrived in Ireland within a few years of the Death and The Resurrection of Christ. The Apostle James, the son of Zebedee, traveled through Galicia, the northern part of Spain, preaching the Gospel to the Celtic Iberians. During this time, Galicia was used as a portal to Ireland, and it was through Galicia that the Good News and the Divine Liturgy were first transferred to the Emerald Isle. However, the full conversion would not take place until the arrival of St. Patrick, the Apostle to Ireland, nearly four hundred years later.

St. Patrick was born in the late 4^th century in Western Britain. He was the son of a Deacon, the grandson of a Priest, and his mother, a Frank, was a close relative of St. Martin of Tours. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland. Six years later, under the guidance of his mentor, the Angel Victor, Patrick was able to escape from slavery. The Good Angel would appear to Patrick throughout his life, offering direction and friendship. Soon after his escape, Patrick had a vision of returning to Ireland. The Angel intervened and told the Saint to seek an education first. Patrick followed his advice and soon found himself under the tutelage of St Germanus of Auxerre.

It took twenty years for St Patrick to return to Ireland. Under the druid priests he met fierce resistance and persecution, but his education paid off. Within a few years of his arrival, he had instituted monasteries and churches, using the Divine Liturgy instituted by Christ and the Apostles to spread the Gospel throughout Ireland. He was known for delivering fiery sermons and using symbols to win the souls of the Irish people. On one Easter Sunday, sometime after 433, St Patrick taught the doctrine of the Holy Trinity using a shamrock to illustrate how one stem holding three little leaves represent One God and three persons. The sermon became an instant hit, and the message was spread all across the land.

There is always more to learn from Saint Patrick. St. Gregory Palamas, an American Orthodox Church located in Glen Gardner (5 Church Street, 908-537-1099, http://stgregoca.org ). In the Apostolic Tradition, icons of the saints are held up not only as examples of the dearly departed human beings who followed the Gospel and thereby inspire us, but as living soul friends to whom we can pray, and from whom we can receive ongoing guidance and support. We at St. Gregory Palamas would like to extend an open invitation to anyone interested in coming by to see St. Patrick’s Holy Icon. We would also encourage everyone to pray to the St. Patrick, and to all the Good Saints, that they may provide us with the spiritual guidance and the true friendship we all seek, much like Victor the guardian angel provided his good friend, Patrick.

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