The life and writings of Saint Patrick are our only insight into how one man changed the course of religious practices in a pagan country. He inspired a people with the grace and glory of God to convert to Christianity, while wrestling with the trials of his church in Britain. Saint Patrick was a strong and deeply religious man that not only gave a culture the gift of God, but also the gift of his life which was devoted to their salvation.
             Before the time and life of Patrick, the Roman Empire was weakening and two divisions formed between the Latin West and the Greek East. The regions were ruled by co emperors, one from each division. This decentralization of the Empire created over a hundred years of political chaos, civil wars and was plagued by foreign invaders from 285 AD until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD.1 The period of Patrick also dealt with the migrating Teutonic invaders, who had begun their advance in 376 AD and did not cease until 576 AD.2 While the Teutonic nations were advancing upon the western empire, the Visigoths had successfully sacked and conquered Rome in 410 AD. Gaul was thus divided into 3 sovereignties, each with it's own ruler, government and customs.3 These years before Patrick began his journey to Ireland set the stage for his career as a British citizen, missionary and Christian.
             Patrick was born in 385 AD in a small area of Roman Britain called Bannavem Tabernial. His father was a decurion in the town, who collected taxes and administered town affairs. Patrick's family was wealthy by the standards of the day and considered noble.4 During his boyhood, he considered himself a disobedient child to God and his commandments. At the age of 16, Patrick was captured by Irish pirates, who had raided his father's town. When Patrick arrived in Ireland, he was sold into slavery to a petty king named Miliucc. He spent his six years of captivity toiling land and tending the...