: The Ohio Anglican.blog Living the Orthodox Catholic Faith in the Anglican Tradition Wednesday , March 17, 2021 Patrick of Ireland Patrick was born about 390, in southwest Britain , somewhere between the Severn and the Clyde rivers , son of a deacon and grandson of a priest . When about sixteen years old , he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland . Until this time , he had , by his own account , cared nothing for God , but now he turned to God for help . After six years , he either escaped or was freed , made his way to a port 200 miles away , and there persuaded some sailors to take him onto their ship . He returned to his family much changed , and began to prepare for the priesthood , and to study the . Bible Around 435, Patrick was commissioned , perhaps by