|
|
Dictionary definition: Patrick
- Article from:
- The Oxford Dictionary of Saints
- Author:
Copyright© The Oxford Dictionary of Saints 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information)
|
Patrick
(5th century), bishop, apostle of Ireland. Much controversy has surrounded the chronology of Patrick's life and the extent of his achievements. The exaggerated view of him as the only apostle of Ireland who converted the whole country single-handed (based on a conflation of late Lives and the primatial claims of the see of Armagh) has given place to a widespread conviction that nearly all that can be known of Patrick comes from his authentic writings: his
Confessio
(or autobiography), and the Letter to Coroticus (protesting against British slave-traders).
Patrick was British by birth, the son of a
decurio
(town councillor) who was a deacon, while his grandfather was a priest. The ...