Name day
Patrick: Name Day and Patron Saint
Patrick keeps the name day on 17 March, or 30 March on the Old Calendar: the feast of St Patrick of Ireland.
By Greek custom the name day is 19 May: Hieromartyr Patrick, Bishop of Prusa, and his companions.
- Patron saint
- St Patrick of Ireland
- New Calendar
- 17 March
- Old Calendar
- 30 March
- Next name day
- 17 March 2027 (New Calendar) · 30 March 2027 (Old Calendar)
- Greek custom
- 19 May: Hieromartyr Patrick, Bishop of Prusa, and his companions
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of March
The patron saint: St Patrick of Ireland
Kept on 17 March, or 30 March on the Old Calendar · Repose
St Patrick was born in Roman Britain around 385. At sixteen he was seized by raiders, sold as a slave in Ireland, and set to herd swine on a mountain. There he learned to pray without ceasing. After six years a vision told him his ship was ready, and he escaped home. In a dream he later heard “the Voice of the Irish” begging him to return. He studied for the priesthood in Gaul, was consecrated bishop, and went back to the land of his captivity. Despite insults, assaults and threats to his life he baptized multitudes, founded churches and monasteries, and established his see at Armagh. He called himself “a sinner” and gave all the credit to God’s grace. Tradition says he taught the Holy Trinity with the shamrock, and the prayer known as his Breastplate (Lorica) is attributed to him. A saint of the undivided Church, he is honored today by many Orthodox Christians as the Enlightener of Ireland.
What the faithful pray for
- faithfulness to God’s calling despite hardship
- courage to witness to Christ
- the enlightenment of Ireland and of all who do not yet know Christ
- humility, trusting all success to God’s grace
- perseverance under insult and opposition
Protection
- missionaries in danger
- the faithful from the powers of darkness, as his Breastplate prayer asks
- against snakes (Western popular)
Miracles
- As a young slave in Ireland he was told in a vision that his ship was ready. He walked two hundred miles to the coast and found a ship that carried him home. (source)
- An angel brought him in a dream a letter titled ‘The Voice of the Irish’, calling him back to the land of his slavery to preach Christ. (source)
Other saints named Patrick
Hieromartyr Patrick, Bishop of Prusa, and his companions
Kept on 19 May, or 1 June on the Old Calendar
Patrick in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Patrick, Padraig, Pádraig, Patricio, Patryk, Patrik, Patrizio | Pat, Paddy |
| Greek | Πατρίκιος, Patrikios | |
| Russian | Патрикий, Patriky | |
| Irish | Pádraig |
Icons of St Patrick of Ireland
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you: Consecration, $49.
A name-day gift for Patrick
Name-Day Gift Set $213$149
A patron saint's folding diptych chosen by first name, a stainless steel crucifix and a prayer rope, in a gift box with a card giving the saint's life and feast day.
St Patrick of Ireland's diptych is chosen and the name is filled in.
Other names with this saint
Questions
When is Patrick’s name day?
Patrick keeps the name day on 17 March on the New Calendar and on 30 March on the Old Calendar, the feast of St Patrick of Ireland. By Greek custom it is kept on 19 May: Hieromartyr Patrick, Bishop of Prusa, and his companions.
Who is the patron saint of Patrick?
St Patrick of Ireland. St Patrick was born in Roman Britain around 385.
How is Patrick written in other languages?
Greek: Πατρίκιος (Patrikios), Russian: Патрикий (Patriky) and Irish: Pádraig. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Patrick?
An icon of St Patrick of Ireland, the saint Patrick bears: the St Patrick of Ireland & Guardian Angel Folding Diptych ($69), or the Name-Day Gift Set ($149) with that diptych, a crucifix and a prayer rope in a gift box.
More about name days
- Name Days Explained: What They Are, How Families Keep Them, and Gifts
A name day is the feast of the saint whose name you carry. Here is how to find yours on either calendar, how Greek and Russian families keep it, and what to give.
- Orthodox Patron Saint: How to Find Yours (by Name, Day or Choice)
Your Orthodox patron saint is the saint whose name you were given at baptism. Here is how to find yours by name, by the day of your birth or baptism, or by choice, and how to keep the name day.
- Find another name