Patrick of Ireland – Page 3

SSP: The Confessio

This post is part of an ongoing series on the Scriptures of Saint Patrick of Ireland. The Confessio was remarkably preserved, having circulated since at least the seventh century, and remains at least partially extant in eight early medieval manuscripts.[1] As for when the Confessio was written, it appears to have come near the endContinue reading “SSP: The Confessio”

SSP: The Writings of Patrick

This post is part of an ongoing series on the Scriptures of Saint Patrick of Ireland. As Patrick’s literary output constitutes the “earliest surviving documents written in Ireland”, the importance of these documents can hardly be understated.[1] However, many of the writings traditionally associated with Patrick have been deemed inauthentic. The three Dicta Patricii (SayingsContinue reading “SSP: The Writings of Patrick”

SSP: Other Historical Patrick Issues

This post is part of an ongoing series on the Scriptures of Saint Patrick of Ireland. Less divisive than the issues of chronology and geography, but no less important, are claims surrounding Patrick’s possible monasticism, his Latinity, and the plethora of extant traditions about Patrick’s life and work. From time to time the question ofContinue reading “SSP: Other Historical Patrick Issues”

SSP: On Patrician Geography

This post is part of an ongoing series on the Scriptures of Saint Patrick of Ireland. A second part of “The Patrick Problem” involves geography: the question of whether Patrick was trained in Gaul. As with Patrick’s chronology, there are three basic answers to this query: first, that Patrick visited Gaul but did not trainContinue reading “SSP: On Patrician Geography”

SSP: On Patrician Chronology

This post is part of an ongoing series on the Scriptures of Saint Patrick of Ireland. Apart from the general statements about Patrick noted in my previous post, although much has been written concerning the saint’s life, little has been satisfactorily concluded. This is especially true on the two issues which Charles Thomas terms “TheContinue reading “SSP: On Patrician Chronology”

SSP: Introducing the Historical Patrick

This post is part of an ongoing series on the Scriptures of Saint Patrick of Ireland. The historical evidence surrounding Patrick is scant and problematic apart from what he tells his readers in his Confessio and Epistola.[1] As we will see in future posts, the biographical information included in these writings avails itself to aContinue reading “SSP: Introducing the Historical Patrick”

SSP: Why Study Patrick’s Scriptures?

This post is part of an ongoing series on the Scriptures of Saint Patrick of Ireland. “If we wish to sound the real depths of this great spiritual masterpiece, then, it is not enough to read it; we are advised to come to know, not only the sources, but also the context of its biblicalContinue reading “SSP: Why Study Patrick’s Scriptures?”

The Scriptures of Saint Patrick: Introduction

The Context, Influence, and Form of the Biblical Text in Patrick of Ireland’s Confessio Some fifteen hundred years after his death, Saint Patrick of Ireland remains one of the most recognizable representatives of the Christian tradition. Beloved by Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and partaker in riotous spring-time drinking alike, Patrick’s epic propagation of the Christian faithContinue reading “The Scriptures of Saint Patrick: Introduction”