St Patrick

How to recognise St Patrick

1. Bishop's vestmentsLook for an older bearded bishop in a green chasuble over a white alb with plain gold trim; red is sometimes used, and some sources say blue was an older colour.
2. MitreA plain, pointed bishop's mitre marks his office as a bishop of the Church.
3. Golden crozierA hooked golden staff, usually held in one hand, stands for pastoral guidance; medieval images sometimes show a cross-staff instead.
4. ShamrockA sprig of three-leaved shamrock held between the fingers recalls the legend that he used it to explain the Holy Trinity, though it comes from later tradition and not from his own writings.
5. Fleeing snakesOne or a few small snakes slither away from his feet, recalling the legend that he drove the snakes from Ireland, which many read as a story of old fears set aside.
6. Weathered, kindly faceHis face is dignified and weathered, that of a man of great faith; medieval portraits often show him beardless.
7. Eastern icon formIn the Eastern-style icon of the Enlightener of Ireland he wears green vestments and treads on snakes before a fire.

Names and titles

• Apostle of IrelandThe title by which he is known as the missionary who brought Christianity to the island
• Enlightener of IrelandThe Orthodox title for Patrick, who is equal-to-the-apostles there
• Three Leaves, One GodThe legend that he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity
• Herdsman Turned BishopHe spent six years as an enslaved herdsman before returning as a missionary bishop
• The Voice of the IrishIn his Confessio he describes a dream of a letter titled 'The Voice of the Irish', which called him back

Feast days

• St Patrick's Day17 March, every year
• Reek Sunday25 July 2027