The deep verdant green of the Irish countryside is so breathtakingly beautiful!
Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
Sometimes a person’s life gets “interrupted” by an event that they did not expect. That certainly happened to Patrick (AD c.389-c.463). When he was just sixteen years old Patrick was suddenly kidnapped by Irish sea-raiders, taken away from his home in England, and sold as a slave. If that difficulty happened to you, you might think that God had somehow “abandoned” you. Patrick would learn, however, that the Lord is in control of all events and that even terrible things that we can’t fully explain are used for “good” in the Christian’s life. God promises in the Bible, “…we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). This means that we can trust God in the midst of our trials and tribulations. And so, what happened to Patrick now that he was forced to be a slave in Ireland? In God’s providence what “good” could possibly come from all of this?
This flock of sheep is much like the ones that Patrick carefully shepherded on Skerry Hill
Here is what happened: Once Patrick was sold as a slave, his new master, Michlu, assigned him to work as a shepherd caring for the livestock. He was given a couple of Irish wolfhounds—huge and fierce dogs—to help protect the sheep, hogs, and cows from ravaging wolves. Patrick learned how to manage these dogs by speaking to them in Gaelic, the common language of the Irish people. The dogs learned to trust him, and he learned to trust them—they were a team in protecting the livestock from the wolves. The wolves were especially dangerous during the winter months when in hunger they would attack the livestock. Most times the shepherds were successful at protecting the livestock, but at other times the fierce wolves would be able to carry away the younger members of the flock. Patrick served as a shepherd for six long years. Nevertheless, he always dreamed of returning to his own family in England. One day, he came up with a plan and with the aide of a friend he set in motion his escape from captivity.
This picture gives the reader some idea of the sheer size of an Irish Wolfhound!
Leaving in the middle of the night he made his way down to the seashore where he planned to flee from Ireland by ship. No one, though, was willing to take him! He noticed that one ship was transporting a cargo of Irish wolfhounds. The sailors found them to be completely unmanageable. Patrick volunteered to care for them. To demonstrate his abilities, he calmed the wild and restless dogs by speaking to them in Gaelic. He also urged the Captain to arrange for their feeding. The dogs calmed down under Patrick’s care and he was taken aboard as a welcome passenger on the ship. Initially he was transported to Spain, but then over time he made his way back to England. What joy it was to be back at home with his father and mother!
Over the next several years he experienced a reoccurring dream—a voice would say in Gaelic, “Holy Boy, we beseech you to come and walk among us once more.” Patrick understood this to mean that God was calling him to return to Ireland—not to give himself up as a runaway slave, but to minister to the Irish people as a Missionary-Evangelist. After lots of study, prayer, and preparation the church leaders called him to that very task—to take the gospel to Ireland. When Patrick finally arrived in Ireland he was 42 years old (AD 432); this is what happened,
“…the ship landed off the coast of Dublin. Dublin was not a great city then—it was merely a village. But it was the capital of the province of Wicklow, and it was ruled by a king named Dichu. Again the ship was anchored, and again Patrick and his crew were rowed ashore. “Let us walk to the top of the hill that I see a mile away,” Patrick said. “From there we can see all of this part of the country.” As they walked toward the hill, they saw a group of men waiting there. Then the silence of the morning was shattered by the angry growling of dogs. The sound struck terror in the hearts of Patrick’s companions. Four dogs rushed down the hill toward the defenseless men who carried no swords—merely pilgrim’s staffs.”
“Patrick stood there calmly while the others dropped to their knees in fright. Surely, they thought, these wild dogs would tear them to bits. The dogs—huge, fierce Irish wolfhounds—were snarling as they rushed toward Patrick and his group of frightened men. Then Patrick’s clear voice rang out. He talked to the dogs as he had once talked to the dogs which had helped him guard the swine on Skerry Hill. He talked to them as he had talked to the dogs on Captain Tigras’ ship. And the dogs, hearing the familiar commands in the language they understood, stopped snarling. When Patrick gave a sharp command, they halted. Patrick walked toward them, talking soothingly to them. The dogs dropped to the ground. They whimpered and crawled toward Patrick, and then they arose and licked his outstretched hand.”
A Celtic Cross–clearly symbolizes the sacrificial death of Christ and the compelling testimony of the four Gospels
“The men on the hill had watched all this in amazement. Among them was Dichu, the king, who had taught the dogs to kill his enemies. To Dichu, any strangers who landed on these shores were enemies. But instead of tearing these enemies to bits, the dogs were now allowing themselves to be patted on the head by the leader of this band of strangers. Dichu led his men down the hill. “Who are you?” he asked curiously. Patrick told him. He also told him why he had come to Ireland. “But don’t you know, Patrick,” Dichu said, “that many kings in Ireland have vowed to kill you if you are indeed the one spoken of in the prophecy?” Patrick nodded. “Of course I know that, but I have faith in God.” “Do you believe that your God can protect you against the swords of the Irish kings?” Dichu asked. Patrick smiled. “That is a small thing for God to do,” he said. “I know very little about your God,” Dichu admitted. “I should like to know more. Will you and your band stay with me awhile, and will you tell me of this God of yours?”
— Quentin Reynolds, The Life of Saint Patrick, 131-133
One artist’s depiction of Patrick
Over the next thirty years (AD 432-463) Patrick faithfully shared the gospel with the people of Ireland. Sadly, they were enslaved to idols (false gods) and to evil spirits (demons). The Lord Jesus slowly began to deliver them from their unbelief, forgiving their sins, and giving them new life in Christ. One biographer notes that Patrick was busy “…sowing belief until he brought all the Ulstermen by the net of the gospel to the harbor of life.” In God’s wonderful providence all of the trials and tribulations of Patrick’s life actually equipped him for service as a Missionary-Evangelist to the Irish people. This outcome was the “good” that God had prepared him for. Due to his bold and clear preaching multitudes of Irish people professed their faith in Christ, thousands of baptisms took place, and many churches were established throughout the land. In short, the gospel message went forward in Ireland with great power!
Even though this particular Irish Celtic Church lays in ruins–the Christian faith lives on in Ireland! Jesus declared, “…the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18b)
Resources for Further Study:
Houghton, S. M. Sketches from Church History: An Illustrated Account of 20 Centuries of Christ’s Power. Edinburgh, Scotland: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1980.
Marshall, Catharine T. “Patrick: Missionary to the Irish” in Great Leaders of the Christian Church. Edited by John D. Woodbridge. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1988.
Neill, Stephen. A History of Christian Missions. Second Edition. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1986.
Olsen, Ted. Christianity and the Celts. Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity Press, 2003
Reynolds, Quentin. The Life of Saint Patrick. In the “Landmark Series.” New York, NY: Random House Publishers, 1955.
Swanson, Kevin, ed. “Patrick’s Confessions and Breastplate” in Great Christian Classics: Five Remarkable Narratives of the Faith. Parker, CO: Generations with Vision, 2010.
Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin
The Genevan Foundation – Copyright 2025 – All Rights Reserved
The lush and verdant countryside of Ireland takes my breath away–it is so beautiful!
Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15
Patrick, Missionary-Evangelist to Ireland
Patrick (A.D. c.390-c.461), a young man raised by loving Christian parents, was thoroughly acquainted with the Bible and the evangelical faith. He was also greatly influenced towards faith in Christ by an old family friend by the name of Julias, who had been a slave in Ireland many years before. One day when Patrick was sixteen years old, he was out working on his Father’s farm and became aware of a disturbance on the beach near his house. He could tell something was going on by the loud cries of the sea gulls. Upon further investigation he discovered that “sea raiders” from Ireland had invaded the English coast and were preparing to attack the nearby village of Banavem. Knowing that he should warn his Father and Mother who were in the village Patrick tried to slip away undetected, but in his haste slipped and fell down the cliff overlooking the beach. As he tumbled downwards, he hit his head on a boulder and landed unconscious at the feet of the Irish leader. They tied him up in their boat and kidnapped him! Much later, when Patrick awakened he realized that he would probably never see his parents or England again. He put himself in God’s providential care. However, God did not leave him all alone for Julius, his Father’s friend, had also been captured in the battle for Banavem. By God’s grace they were able to stay together in captivity.
Patrick as a Shepherd
For six long years Patrick (sometimes known as Maewyn Succat) served as a shepherd to an Irish chieftain by the name of Michlu (a Druid priest). He learned the common language (Gaelic) and the local customs of the Irish, but he refused to worship the false deities of the Druid religion. Strangely, the Druid Priests had widely prophesied that a man from over the sea would come amongst them. He would humble the leaders of the land and lead the people to the Great God. The Druids greatly feared this man, yet they also acknowledged that he would cause them to take up “shepherd’s staffs” in submission to the Lord and end their war-like ways. Patrick often wondered who this man might be, but he never dreamed that he was the very man!
Julius in the meantime discipled him, as he would his own son, teaching him the doctrines of the Bible. Patrick said of this time, “The Lord opened to me the sense of my unbelief that I might remember my sins and that I might return with my whole heart to the Lord my God.” It was during these formative years that Patrick matured in his own faith and in his desire to communicate the Gospel to the Irish people. His first interested listeners were the three children of Michlu: Gussacht, Emer, and Bronach. After six years, Patrick escaped with Julias to France and eventually returned home to England. He believed that God had called him to become a minister of the gospel and he was ordained. During his studies he experienced an intense desire to return to Ireland and evangelize his former captors. He once even had a dream when he heard a voice calling to him in Gaelic saying “Holy Boy, we beseech you to come and walk among us once more.”
The ruins of an ancient Celtic Church in the Irish countryside
Patrick finally returned to Ireland in A.D. 432, when he was 43 years old, and spent the next thirty years laboring there. He was appointed a missionary Bishop over that pagan land and risked his life many times in order to further the gospel. He had special ties to several of the chieftains and established many monasteries and preaching points throughout the land. He is the object of many legends and spurious tales, but none of these take away from the real man of God that he truly was. During his extended ministry he established thirty churches and baptized over 120,000 persons. How do we evaluate the ministry of Patrick? Merle d’Aubigne makes this learned assessment. He writes,
Succat, afterwards known as St. Patrick…returned to Ireland…ever active, prompt, and ingenious, he collected the pagan tribes in the fields by the beat of drum, and then narrated to them in their own tongue the history of the Son of God. Erelong his simple recitals exercised a divine power over their rude hearts, and many souls were converted, not by external sacraments or by the worship of images, but by the preaching of the Word of God. The son of a chieftain, whom Patrick calls Benignus, learnt from him to proclaim the Gospel, and was destined to succeed him. The court bard, Dubrach MacValubair, no longer sang druidical hymns, but canticles addressed to Jesus Christ. Patrick was not entirely free from the errors of the time; perhaps he believed in pious miracles; but generally speaking we meet with nothing but the gospel in the earlier days of the British church.
Merle d’Augbigne, The Reformation in England, Vol. 1, 28-29
The legacy of Patrick continues to survive today due many legends of dubious quality and his recognition as a “Saint” by the Roman Catholic Church. Thankfully, Patrick himself leaves an autobiographical book, The Confessions of Patrick, and a powerful poem entitled, The Breastplate of Patrick. The words of his poem give some idea of Patrick’s immense courage and unflagging resolve in facing down the wicked Druids. He placed his faith in “the strong name of the Trinity” and trusted that God would providentially protect him from “all Satan’s spells and wiles.” The Lord did not fail him, and he significantly blessed the ministry of this missionary-evangelist to Ireland. It is good for us to remember, that what others meant for evil [his kidnapping and enslavement], God meant for good [his knowledge of Ireland’s language and his love for the Irish people] (cf. Gen. 5:20). The missionary zeal of Patrick greatly influenced many others to bring the good news of the gospel to pagan lands–notably, Aiden, Boniface, Columba, Columbanus, and Kentigern (Mungo). Let us, then, rejoice in the life and ministry of Patrick and give thanks to God for the powerful gospel we proclaim!
The Breastplate of Patrick
I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith, Christ’s incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on the cross for my salvation. His bursting from the spiced tomb; His riding up the heav’nly way; His coming at the day of doom; I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need; The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward, The word of God to give me speech, His heav’nly host to be my guard.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles, against false words of heresy, against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart’s idolatry, against the wizard’s evil craft, against the death-wound and the burning, the choking wave, the poison’d shaft, protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and the One in Three, of whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word, Praise to the Lord of my salvation: Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
“Patrick’s Breastplate” Translated by C. F. Alexander in Eerdman’s Handbook to The History of Christianity, 212
Resources for Further Study:
A Celtic Cross
d’Aubigne, Merle J. H. The Reformation in England. S. M. Houghton, ed. Volume 1. Edinburgh, Scotland: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1962.
Cahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization. New York, NY: Anchor Books, 1995.
Christian History Magazine. Vol. XVII, No. 4, Issue 60. “How the Irish Were Saved: The Culture & Faith of Celtic Christians.”
Davidson, Ivor J. A Public Faith: From Constantine to the Medieval World. Volume Two in “The Baker History of the Church.” John D. Woodbridge and David F. Wright, co- eds. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005.
Douglas, J. D., ed. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
“Aiden” by R. E. Nixon
“Boniface” by C. G. Thorne, Jr.
“Celtic Church” by Robert G. Clouse
“Columba” by Adam Loughridge
“Columbanus” by Adam Loughridge
“Iona” by J. D. Douglas
“Ireland” by Adam Loughridge
“Ireland, Church of” by Adam Loughridge
“Kentigern (Mungo)” by W. Stanford Reid
“Missions, Christian” by Ian Breward
“Ninian” by J. D. Douglas
“Patrick of Ireland” by Hugh J. Blair
“Scotland” by W. Stanford Reid
Douglas, J. D., ed. Who’s Who in Christian History. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale Publishers, 1992.
Dowley, Tim, ed. Eerdman’s Handbook to The History of Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977.
“Patrick’s Confessions and Breastplate” in Great Christian Classics. Kevin Swanson, ed. Parker, CO: Generations With Vision, 2010.
Neill, Stephen. A History of Christian Missions. Second Edition. New York, NY: Penguin books, 1986.
Olsen, Ted. Christianity and the Celts. Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity Press, 2003
Reynolds, Quentin. The Life of Saint Patrick. New York, NY: Random House, 1955.
Wace, Henry and William Piercy, eds. A Dictionary of Christian Biography. London, England: John Murray, 1911; Reprint, Peabody, MA: Hendricksen Publishers, 1994.
Woodbridge, John D. Great Leaders of the Christian Church. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1988.
Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin
The Genevan Foundation – Copyright 2012 – All Rights Preserved
