Saturday, July 14, 2012

St. Patrick and Tírechán - on the paths of truth

"Bishop Tírechán has written this, based on the words and the book of bishop Ultán, whose fosterling and pupil he was."

Thus begins the Life of Saint Patrick by Bishop Tírechán. The book is truthful and obviously a valuable historical source about the beginning of Christianity in Ireland. It is filled with names of people and places. As a skilful historian Terry O’Hagan is able to reconstruct how, when and where Tírechán worked and so to bring the ancient book alive in a truly fascinating way.


Bishop Tírechán does painstaking research and apparently risks his own health and life by walking on those treacherous desert roads between Irish towns and villages of the time. His efforts are not in vain and the world learns so much about early history of Christian Ireland and about the character, work and significance of Saint Patrick from him.

It is important for us to note how the Golden Legends reach the nations and people's hearts while dry historical facts and research remain in the chambers of historians and other scholars.

Apparently that is how it is.


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