Patrick, St

The son of a town official on the west coast of Britain in the last days of Roman rule, St Patrick was abducted as boy and taken to Ireland, where…

The son of a town official on the west coast of Britain in the last days of Roman rule, St PatrickPatrick, St The son of a town official on the west coast of Britain in the last days of Roman rule, St Patrick was abducted as boy and taken to Ireland, where he lived as a slave for six years. He spent this time in prayer and on his return received some training for the priesthood. He returned to Ireland in 435 as bishop and was one of the most prominent figures in the conversion of that country beyond the Roman Empire to Christianity until his death in about 461. Some of St Patrick's writings survive, including an autobiography. He is generally regarded as the Apostle of Ireland and legends attribute many miraculous powers to him was abducted as boy and taken to Ireland, where he lived as a slave for six years. He spent this time in prayer and on his return received some training for the priesthood. He returned to Ireland in 435 as bishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain and was one of the most prominent figures in the conversion of that country beyond the Roman EmpireRoman Empire The Roman Empire succeeded the 500-year old Roman Republic in 27 BC, and had reached it territorial peak by the early 2nd century AD. Britain came under Roman rule in 43 AD under the Emperor Claudius. The last Roman military and administrative presence in Britain was withdrawn in the early 5th century, but left a legacy of Roman infrastructure and culture that was to form the basis for the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England to Christianity until his death in about 461. Some of St Patrick’s writings survive, including an autobiography. He is generally regarded as the ApostleDisciple New Testament term meaning learner or follower and used of the Twelve Apostles as well as of the followers of Jesus in general. See Apostle. of Ireland and legends attribute many miraculous powers to him