St. Pádraig (St. Patrick), one of the earliest Orthodox missionary saints, was born into a noble Roman family from Gaul (France) or Britain in 387 AD. When Pádraig was 16, he was carried off by Irish marauders and sold into slavery. He was made a shepherd, and toiled for six years for an Irish chieftain. Prompted by an angel, Pádraig fled to Gaul and put himself under the spiritual direction of St. Germanus of Auxerre. He prayed and studied and struggled, and after almost 20 years was given a vision of Irish calling to him: "O holy youth, come back to Éirinn, and walk once more among us."

The Bishop of Rome, Celestine I, directed St. Pádraig to teach the people of Ireland the way of Christ and bring them into the Church. St. Pádraig and his companions arrived in Ireland in 433 AD, during the summer, and were immediately persecuted by the Druids.                 

   
St. Pádraig returned to the Lord on March 17, 493 AD, after receiving Holy Unction

Pádraig