“To preach the gospel in the regions beyond” (2nd Corinthians 10:16)
When Augustine’s ministry was drawing to an North Africa, while final embers of the western Roman Empire were slowing burning out together with the Christianity that developed under its patronage God was building a radical more vigorous missionary minded Church on the edge of the known world, in Ireland.
While Christianity had almost certainty existed in Ireland since the 3rd Century, an event occurred in the early 430s which would change the not only the course of the island but that of the British Isles and western Christianity. The Irish were about to become Saints and Scholars as the island became a land of churches and monasteries which exported some of her famous sons into the heart of continental Europe.
This story begins with capture of young Roman Boy called Patricious in Brittania. Sold off as slave to an Irish farmer he sought the Lord of whom he was taught by Christian parents. The story of Patrick and his successors begins.
Across our island home,
Famous missionaries did roam,
The signs of their ministry remain,
No mere stone cross but in Gospel gain
For more Church History devotionals from the “Burning but Flourishing” series follow this link.
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