SYMBOLS

Because Patrick was familiar with the Irish language and culture from his years of captivity,
he chose to incorporate Irish ritual and symbols into his teachings rather than to eradicate
Irish beliefs. Thus, was born the Celtic cross. Patrick superimposed the sun, a powerful Irish
symbol, onto the traditional Christian cross so that the result would seem more natural to the
Irish.
There are two main types of crosses associated with Saint Patrick, the cross pattée and the
Saltire. Saint Patrick traditionally wears the vestments of a bishop often decorated with a cross
pattée. Saint Patrick's Saltire is a red saltire on a white field. It is used in the insignia of the Order
of Saint Patrick.

ADULT AND ELDER LIFE

He studied in Europe, at the Marmoutier Abbey and Lérins Abbey. He decided to study and
stayed there for 12 years. Later, Saint Germanus of Auxerre, a Bishop of Catholic Church,
ordained him a priest. He decided that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.
Because of that he adopted his Christian name: Patricius or Patrick, as we now know it, and
returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. Patrick traveled through Ireland establishing
monasteries, schools and churches throughout the land. Saint Patrick's position as a foreigner in
Ireland was not an easy one. So that, he was without protection, and that’s because he was
several times beaten, robbed of all he had, and put in chains, perhaps awaiting execution.
17 March, popularly known as Saint Patrick's Day, is believed to be his death date and is the
date celebrated as his Feast Day. The day became a feast day in the Catholic Church .

LEGENDS

There are a lot of legends surrounding Saint Patrick. Legend credits Saint Patrick with teaching
the Irish about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a three-leafed
plant, using it to illustrate the Christian teaching of three persons in one God. Icons of St Patrick
often show the saint with a cross in one hand and a small branch of shamrocks in the other.
Some say that he drove snakes out of Ireland.The absence of snakes in Ireland made people
think that they had all been expelled by Saint Patrick chasing them into the sea after they
attacked him. But in fact, it has never been any clue of snakes in Ireland, so there was nothing
for St. Patrick to expel.

ghi