Patrick’s grandfather had been a presbyter (a high church leader) and his father took an active role as a deacon. But though he was surrounded by Christian influences, the young Patrick turned his back on God.

When he was almost sixteen he was captured and carried away to Ireland. Of this time Patrick says, “I did not know the true God; and was taken to Ireland in captivity with many thousand men in accordance with our deserts, because we walked at a distance from God and did not observe His commandments.” (This was taken from his writing, Confession.)

During his seven years of captivity he learned to know, love, and obey God. Like the prodigal son, he worked for his captor taking care of animals. He experienced hunger and nakedness, which turned his thoughts and heart back to his family and what he had been taught about God as a child.

When he escaped and returned to his former home he was a truly converted Christian. During his years as a captive, Patrick became fluent in the Irish form of the Celtic language, which would be very important in his later preaching and teaching. He felt that God was calling him to spread the gospel to the people of Ireland who were living under the superstitions and practices of the Druids.

These people believed in reincarnation, practiced divination (telling the future) and used magic. Many of the Druid’s pagan holidays were not destroyed but rather changed into the Roman Church’s holy days. For instance the Druid’s Winter Solstice became Christmas; the festival Ostara, named after the goddess Isthar, became Easter; Samhaim – when they honored the dead, became Halloween and All Saint’s Day; and Imbolc – which was held on February 2nd was moved to February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day.

Patrick knew the strong influence of the Druids and he knew that for Christianity to grow, education was very important. He established training centers like Bangor, Clonard, and Armagh. These were Bible schools where the gospel was taught. The Itala Bible, which Patrick used, was the first translation from Greek to Latin three hundred years before the Latin Vulgate was translated. Part of the students’ studies included the copying of scripture.

By the seventh century much of Europe was heading into what we call the Dark Ages when most of the people lived in poverty, illiteracy and superstition. In contrast, Ireland was known at that time as the “land of saints and scholars.” Much of the credit for the literate population, the busy schools, and the beautiful copies of the Itala Bible (which are famous even today for their gorgeous penmanship and artwork) goes to Patrick. It is believed that as many as 350 churches were established, and over 120,000 people were converted.

Although most of Europe was falling into the Dark Ages, Ireland continued to be a beacon of light as its people were taught the scriptures. We know that Patrick permitted his pastors to marry, which went against the practice of celibacy which the Roman Church was practicing. He obeyed the Ten Commandments, and Dr. Wilkinson tells us that the Celtic Church “kept Saturday as a day of rest, with special religious services on Sunday.” In talking about Columba (one of Patrick’s students) we are told that “in this matter the Scots had perhaps kept up the traditional usage of the ancient Irish Church which observed Saturday instead of Sunday as the day of rest.” Truth Triumphant 95.

Although Patrick stood against many of the teachings of the Roman Church, they ended up making him into a saint of their church. You see, when the Roman Church began to try to win Ireland to her beliefs, she found that the people’s love and loyalty to Patrick was still strong. Rather than try to defame his name they decided to create their own Patrick - one who performed marvelous miracles. There were stories of Patrick making a stone float so a poor leper could have a ride to Ireland, and of him chasing all the snakes out of Ireland. They made up stories of him bringing relics from Rome - including a sheet with Christ’s blood on it and hair from Jesus’ mother. Little by little the real stories of Patrick were replaced by the imaginary ones.

For over nine hundred years the church of Ireland stood against the Roman Church’s attempts to take it over, but in the middle of the twelfth century it was put under papal rule. As one author put it,

“In the centuries to follow, [Patrick’s] legacy as a faithful Sabbath-keeper would quickly be shrouded with half-truths and mysticism due to the eventual overthrow of the Celtic Church. (The victor always writes history.)…Sadly, the truth behind his powerful work is twisted and dimly lit, but that doesn't mean the real truth can’t be told….It is a lesson we should not forget. Ireland prospered in peace for centuries as it obeyed God’s commands by [Patrick’s] lead. After it incorporated unholy doctrines and practices, it fell into despair and was subjugated by oppression and cruelty.” (Anthony Lester, Amazing Facts Inside Report)