Happy St. Patrick's Day

[vanshan]

From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's website:

Saint Patrick of Ireland

March 17

Apolytikion:
Third Tone

O Holy Hierarch, equal of the Apostles, Saint Patrick, wonderworker and enlightener of Ireland: Intercede with the merciful God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.

Kontakion:
Fourth Tone

The Master revealed thee as a skilful fisher of men; and casting forth nets of Gospel preaching, thou drewest up the heathen to piety. Those who were the children of idolatrous darkness thou didst render sons of day through holy Baptism. O Patrick, intercede for us who hounour thy memory.


I just heard someone say they don't celebrate St. Patrick's because it's a Catholic holiday . . . how sad to think that so many wonderful Orthodox saints are discounted by many because they are seen as part of the Catholic Church, which historically spiritually oppressed so many in Europe and later the Americas.

Pray to God for us, Holy Saint Patrick the Enlightener, that He may save our souls.

Basil

[33ad]

I just heard someone say they don't celebrate St. Patrick's because it's a Catholic holiday . . . how sad to think that so many wonderful Orthodox saints are discounted by many because they are seen as part of the Catholic Church, which historically spiritually oppressed so many in Europe and later the Americas.


I was so happy when I became Orthodox to discover St. Parick was pre-Schism, so I could pray to him too.

Kolya

[Rilian]

I just heard someone say they don't celebrate St. Patrick's because it's a Catholic holiday . . .

You've got to be kidding me vanshan, who said that? Along with St. Innocent of Alaska, he's one of my favorite missionary saints.

Here's the Troparion and Kontakion from the OCA for St. Patrick the Bishop of Armagh and Enlightener of Ireland

Troparian - Tone 3

Holy Bishop Patrick,
Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock,
You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:
The mighty strength of the Trinity!
Now that you stand before the Savior,
Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!

Kontakion - Tone 4

From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ's service:
He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil's bondage.
You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts.
In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul!
Having received the reward for your labors in heaven,
Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth,
Holy bishop Patrick!

[countrymouse33ad]

The Deer's Cry (the breastplate of St. Patrick)



I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
I arise today through the strength of Christ with His Baptism, through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension, through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.

I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim
in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,
in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through the strength of Heaven:
light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,
speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,
stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.

I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,
God's host to secure me:
against snares of devils, against temptations of vices,
against inclinations of nature, against everyone who
shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils): against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul, against incantations of false prophets, against black laws of heathenry, against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry, against spells of women [any witch] and smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul.
Christ to protect me today against poison, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so that there may come abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ.

May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A very happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

[vanshan]

Brief Biography of Saint Patrick from the Greek website:

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.

[Emmanuel-A]

Thanks for those troparians.

It's probably the first time I will celebrate Saint Patrick at the church.

I used to do it at the pub.

[rhyddid_rose]

To Life Immortal

I couldn't give you any reputation, but I wish to thank you for your lovely post. Here's an Irish blessing for you and all of The Ancient Way:

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

I personally like St Patrick as well as St David (patron saint of Wales).
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ba dhúthchas riamh d'ár gcine cháidh
Gan iompáil riar ó imirt áir,
'Siubhal mar iad i gcoinnibh rámhaid
Seo libh, canaidh amhrán na bhFiann.
~~***~~~***~~
We're children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace,
And as we march the foe to face,.......
We'll chant a soldier's song.

[Strength&Honour]

Neat observation.
A lot of us did, Emmanuel-A.

[vanshan]

Aside from being in Great Lent, I wouldn't mind some fine Irish stout today, but I guess that can wait until the weekend.

[Eusebios]

Ah yes, a Guinness (or two) will feel mighty fine this weekend, perhaps after the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy with his Emminence JOB on Sunday!!
Erin go bragh,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[Wiffey]

Happy St.Patrick's Day!!!

[Monica, child of God]

We commemorated St. Patrick at Presanctified last night and his icon was displayed for veneration. I gave my son a medal of St. Patrick and he memorized a portion of the prayer above for school ("I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me...) I am so glad to have these wonderful saints in my life through the Church.

Happy Feast!

Monica

[Alexis OCA]

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! A special day especially for our friends at OBOB who live in the Archdiocese of NY where he is patron saint. It's nice to see a familiar face on my Orthodox calendar too!

http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/LG/march/0317patrick-ireland.jpg

[Paisley]

This is interesting about St. Patrick! I knew he was real, and that, but I love that icon of him.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

[Rilian]

It's nice to see a familiar face on my Orthodox calendar too!

I made that same icon my wallpaper today, I think it's a great one.

I have to say do miss having Boxty, Colcannon or stew. Even though my wife isn't Irish, she would usually make something for me and the kids. Oh, maybe it will be St. Paddy's day Tofu tonight...

[vanshan]

Maybe we can have corn---- and cabbage??

That's a great icon of Saint Patrick. Is there a site where I can buy a print of it online?

Here's another icon.

Basil

[elizabethevangeline]

I just heard someone say they don't celebrate St. Patrick's because it's a Catholic holiday . . . how sad to think that so many wonderful Orthodox saints are discounted by many because they are seen as part of the Catholic Church, which historically spiritually oppressed so many in Europe and later the Americas.



Actually, I never even thot of St. Patricks day as a religious holiday. I always resented having to wear green to avoid getting pinched! When someone told me that the custom hearkens back to wearing of the green to signal what side an Irishman was on...(ancient "crips" vs. "bloods"?) ...I started wearing orange. My ancestors were scot-irish protestants.

I appreciate actually hearing about St. Patrick and the purpose of his day. Maybe I'll drop the orange too.

[Rilian]

Actually, I never even thot of St. Patricks day as a religious holiday. I always resented having to wear green to avoid getting pinched! When someone told me that the custom hearkens back to wearing of the green to signal what side an Irishman was on...(ancient "crips" vs. "bloods"?) ...I started wearing orange. My ancestors were scot-irish protestants.

I appreciate actually hearing about St. Patrick and the purpose of his day. Maybe I'll drop the orange too.

In Ireland it's actually a religious holiday, it's here in the states that St. Patrick's day took on the things we associate with it - i.e. wearing green, leprechauns, drinking a lot and so on. My ancestry through my father is from both sides of the ethnic/religious divide. I just see it as Irish though.

I really hope the people who said they don't celebrate today aren't Orthodox, if they were that would be sad for a number of reasons.

[gord96]

that icon is sweet...made it my wallpaper as well....where did you find it Greg?

[Rilian]

Check the OCA (http://oca.org/) home page.

[prodromos]

Father Ambrose had this in his sig over on Catholic Answers forum and I just had to share

http://www.seoulshamrock.co.kr/Irish%20Virus.jpg

I would have sent it to all my friends, but by then I'd already deleted all my files and couldn't find my email program ;)

[rhyddid_rose]

To Life Immortal

ROTFLMAO!!!!



Peace and Long Life with Lots of Laughs
~*~ бабочка ~*~

[ExOrienteLux]

Well, a belated Happy St. Padraig's Day to all!

I've actually started to dislike the day, because everyone thinks that just because they can say Erin go Bragh and wear green means they're Irish. I'm sorry, you'll have to tell me what that phrase means and where your ancestors came from in Eire before I'll believe you.

It is great to be able to venerate the holy Bishop, though. Too bad he's overshadowed by St. Alexis. Both are great pillars of the Church, though.

[33ad]

That was priceless John.
See ya after Pasha.

Kolya