St. Patrick was born around 385 in Roman Britain and died on March 17, 461. Saint Patrick’s Day is a holiday celebrated on March 17 every year is supposedly in honor of the patron saint born in Ireland. The day is full of leprechauns, drinking, parades and green rivalry. But did you know that Saint Patrick was a Christian? Read on.

Saint Patrick: His Religious Origins

The origins of Saint Patrick are somewhat shrouded in mystery. Some accounts suggest he was born in a place known as Kirkpatrick in Scotland, near the River Clyde, while others claim he hails from near Boulogne in France. Regardless of the exact location, it is believed he was born around the year 387.

Coming from a religious family—his father was a deacon and his grandfather a presbyter—Patrick had early exposure to faith. However, he initially did not fully embrace these teachings until later in life, when trials led him to a deeper understanding of his beliefs.

Kidnapped & Trafficked As A Teenager

At the age of sixteen, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery to a pagan chieftain in Ireland, where he faced significant hardships tending to cattle. It was during this time of captivity that he experienced a spiritual awakening.

He later recounted that this period of suffering opened his eyes to his own spiritual state, leading him to acknowledge his sins and turn to God. He described how, despite the challenging conditions, he found comfort and strength in prayer.

His faith blossomed as he prayed fervently, sometimes uttering as many as a hundred prayers a day, often in solitary and harsh environments.

What Was St. Patrick’s Theology?

Saint Patrick’s journey to becoming a bishop in Ireland began in an unusual manner: he was taken from Britain by pirates and forced into slavery. For six years, he endured the struggles of shepherding, accompanied by hunger and exposure. It was in these dire circumstances that he developed a consistent prayer life. According to legend, a voice urged him to escape, leading him to a seaport where he miraculously found passage back to Britain.

Due to being kidnapped and trafficked, Patrick missed out on a formal education, and although he later trained for the priesthood, he lacked the classical education typical of his peers. This absence of formal training turned out to be an asset when he returned to Ireland. Rather than relying on eloquent speeches or philosophical arguments, he engaged with the Irish people through his deep spiritual life.

The Holy Trinity & The Three Leaf Clover

Patrick’s theology emphasized the belief that all creation belongs to God. One of his most famous teaching methods involved using nature to explain complex theological concepts. A well-known legend recounts how he used a three-leaf clover to illustrate the Holy Trinity, asking his audience whether the shamrock had one leaf or three. Their response, “both,” led Patrick to explain that, similarly, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons yet one God.

Perverting A Saints History in America

It was European emigrants, particularly to the United States, who transformed St. Patrick’s Day into a largely secular holiday of revelry and celebration of things Irish. Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, who often wielded political power, staged the most extensive celebrations, which included elaborate parades. Boston held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737, followed by New York City in 1762. Since 1962 Chicago has coloured its river green to mark the holiday.