Talk:Saint Patrick

My recent Importance re-assessments

Since I have been reverted twice, here is my attempt to justify my original edits to the Importance tag on several Wikiprojects.

First off, AFAIK there is no written guideline that says you must be a member of the named Wikiprojects to assess Importance, only that one follows each Wikiproject's guidelines for assessment. From my understanding of these, this article does not qualify as "Top" on any project except perhaps Wikiproject Ireland, and IMO that's ambiguous.

Second, I am a member of Wikiproject Catholicism so I will be making a reassessment just for that right after this. Nautical Mongoose (talk) 18:54, 11 March 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for opening a discussion. On the first point, it is a general condition of most WikiProjects that only members may change the ratings, as one should have experience and understanding of the project's weigtings for importance; a typical wording would be "Who can assess articles? Any member of the Religion WikiProject is free to add or change the rating of an article." - similar wording would be found on Ireland, Catholicism, etc.

On the second point, there is no doubt at all re. WikiProject Ireland's rating - and I speak from both knowledge of Ireland and as one of the most experienced raters for that project. As to others, it's not a simple question. I actually agree that some of the "importance" ratings are probably not perfect - St Patrick is one of the best-known saints, but clearly not at the same level as the disciples, evangelists and other "core" saints, and saints are not the only topics in most relevant projects. So my own feeling would be that he is "High" for Catholicism, "Mid" for Orthodoxy, "Mid" for Nigeria, etc. - but as I am not a member of any of those projects, I leave this decision to experienced members of the relevant projects. The best way to handle this issue is indeed to have a discussion here. SeoR (talk) 01:48, 13 March 2026 (UTC)

Source for Saint Patrick as British?

Britain did not exist as a nationality during the life of Saint Patrick so on what basis is he referred to as British?

From my investigations, it is very likely he would have identified as Roman, his writings say as much and furthermore his most likely place of birth was somewhere near modern day Dumbarton/Kilpatrick in Scotland which would mean he would likely identify as Damnonii.

I think this should be clarified as it is not at all likely he identified as British. ~2026-21073-43 (talk) 20:57, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

On the contrary, Britannia is a Roman name, & Britannia Prima and Secunda were the Late Roman provinces, the latter streching well into modern Scotland. There are numerous candidates for the exact place, but it is very likely that Romanized people from all of them would have thought of themselves as British. Note that the De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae by Patrick's rough contemporary Gildas (whose exact place of origin is equally uncertain), uses Britain and Britons all the time. Johnbod (talk) 21:21, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

~2026-21731-01 (talk) 19:00, 8 April 2026 (UTC)

Here are the specific sources and contexts where Patrick identifies as Roman.

1. Epistola ad milites Corotici (Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus).

This is Patrick's most explicit identification with Rome. He wrote this letter to excommunicate the soldiers of a warlord named Coroticus, who had raided Patrick's newly baptised converts.

Patrick writes, "Non dico civibus meis neque civibus sanctorum Romanorum..." ("I do not say to my fellow-citizens of the holy Romans..")

By using the word civibus (citizens), Patrick is asseting his legal status. He distinguishes his "holy Roman" converts from the "barbarian" soldiers of Coroticus, essentially arguing that by their cruel actions, the soldiers have forfeited their right to be called Romans or fellow citizens.

2. Confessio (The Declaration)

The Confessio is Patrick's spiritual autobiography, written toward, the end of his life to defend his ministry. While it focuses more on his faith than his nationality, it establishes his Roman social standing.

The Roman Infrastructure: Patrick identifies his father, Calpurnius, as a decurio (a city councilor) and a deacon.

The Legal Context: In the Roman Empire, a decurio was a member of the local Roman municipal aristocracy. This title confirms that Patrick belonged to the Roman administrative class.

It is therefore clear that Saint Patrick identified as Roman. This should be stated as his nationality for historical accuracy. ~2026-21742-68 (talk) 17:29, 9 April 2026 (UTC)

Even though he lived several decades (at least) after Rome had any sort of control over anywhere he ever went to? Many Roman people who actually lived under the empire also identified as Italian, Syrian and so forth. Do you have any WP:RS that call Patrick a Roman in this fashion? Patrick probably felt culturally Roman in some fashion, but if we are using (possibly anachronistically) modern concepts of nationality, it is inappropriate to call him Roman. Johnbod (talk) 19:59, 9 April 2026 (UTC)

Partialism of the Three-Leaf Clover

It may be prudent to mention that the use of the three-leaf clover to describe the Holy Trinity is technically the ancient heresy of partialism. William K. Smith-Higgenbotham (talk) 15:57, 6 April 2026 (UTC)

Hi there, do you have a reliable source that states this, or even defines the heresy of "partialism"? I believe this originates from a comedic youtube cartoon. Seltaeb Eht (talk) 22:34, 6 April 2026 (UTC)

"St.Patrick" listed at Redirects for discussion

The redirect St.Patrick has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2026 April 22 § St.Patrick until a consensus is reached. 𝔅𝔦𝔰-𝔖𝔢𝔯𝔧𝔢𝔱𝔞? 21:38, 22 April 2026 (UTC)