PATRICK (St.), the apostle of Ireland, and second bishop of that country. He was born April 5th A. D. 373, of a good family, at Kirk Patrick near
Dumbarton, in what is now called Scotland, but then comprehended under the general name of Britain.— His baptismal name Succath, signifies, in the British language, "valiant in war." On some inroad of certain exiles from Ireland he was taken prisoner, and carried into that kingdom, where he continued six years in the service of Milcho, who had bought him of three others, when Patrick acquired the new name of Cothraig, or Geathar-Tigh, i. e. four families. In this time he made himself master of the Irish language, and at last made his escape, and returned home on board a ship. About two years after, he formed a design of converting the Irish, either in consequence of a dream, or of reflection on what he had observed during his acquaintance with them. The better to qualify himself for this undertaking, he travelled to the continent, where he continued 35 years, pursuing his studies under the direction of his mother's uncle St Martin, bishop of Tours, who had ordained him deacon; and after his death with St German, bishop of Auxerre, who ordained him priest, and gave him his third name Mawn or Maginn.
An ancient author, Henricus Antifoderensis, who wrote a book concerning the miracles of St German, considers it as the highest honour of that prelate to have been the instructor of St Patrick: "As the glory of a father shines in the government of his sons, out of the many disciples in religion who are reported to have been his sons in Christ; suffice it briefly to mention one by far the most famous, as the series of his actions shows, Patrick the particular apostle of Ireland, who being under his holy discipline 18 years, derived no little knowledge in the inspired writings from such a source. The most godly divine pontiff, considering him alike distinguished in religion, eminent for virtue, and steadfast in doctrine; and thinking it absurd to let one of the best labourers remain inactive in the Lord's vineyard, recommended him to Celestine, Pope of Rome, by his presbyter Segetius, who was to carry to the apostolic see a testimonial of ecclesiastical merit of this excellent man. Approved by his judgment, supported by his authority, and confirmed by his blessing, he set out for Ireland; and being peculiarly destined to that people as their apostle, instructed them at that time by his doctrine and miracles; and now does and will forever display the wonderful power of his apostleship." Lastly, Pope Celestine consecrated him bishop, and gave him his most familiar name Patricius, expressive of his honourable descent; and to give lustre and weight to the commission which he now charged him with to convert the Irish. Palladius had been here a year before him on the same design, but with little success: the saints Kieran, Ailbe, Declan, and Ibar, were precurators both to Palladius and Patrick. But the great office of apostle of Ireland was reserved for our prelate, who landed in the country of the Eo-lein, or at Wicklow, A. D. 441. His first convert was Sinell, eighth in descent from Cormac king of Leinster; but not meeting with encouragement, he proceeded to Dublin, and thence to Ulster, where he founded a church (afterwards the famous abbey of Saul, in the county of Down), remarkable for its position, being made out of a barn, and its greatest length reaching from north to south. After labouring seven years indefatigably in his great work, he return-
Patrick. ed to Britain, which he delivered from the heretics of Pelagius and Arius; engaged several eminent persons to assist him; visited the Isle of Man, which he converted in 440, when the bishopric was founded; and, A. D. 448, returned to the see of Armagh (A), which he had founded three years before; and in 13 years more completed the conversion of the whole island (B). After giving an account of his commission at Rome, he once more returned hither, and spent the remainder of his life between the monasteries of Armagh and Saul, superintending and enforcing the great plan of doctrine and discipline which he had established. After having established schools, or an academy here, he closed his life and ministry at Saul abbey, in the 120th year of his age, March 17. A. D. 493, and was buried at Down afterwards, in the same grave with St Briget and St Columba, in the same place. Respecting his burial-place, however, there have been great disputes; and it has been as great a subject of debate with the religious, as Homer's birth-place was formerly among the cities of Greece. Those of Down lay claim to it, on the authority of the following verses:
These three in Down lie in tomb one,
Briget, Patricius, and Columba pious.
Those of Glanfeinbury in England, from the old monuments of their church: And some Seots affirm him to have been both born and buried among them at Glasgow. His genuine works were collected and printed by Sir James Ware, 1656. His immediate successor in this see was St Binen or Begnus.
Order of St PATRICK, an institution which took place in Ireland in the year 1783. On the fifth of February, in that year, the king ordered letters-patent to be passed under the great seal of the kingdom of Ireland, for creating a society or brotherhood, to be called knights of the illustrious order of St Patrick, of which his majesty, his heirs, and successors, shall perpetually be sovereigns, and his majesty's lieutenant-general and general-governor of Ireland, &c. for the time being, shall officiate as grand-masters; and also for appointing Prince Edward, and several of the prime nobility of Ireland, knights companions of the said illustrious order.