Moya Brennan Dies at 73: Celtic Music Legend and First Lady of Irish Folk Leaves Enduring Legacy
Publisher’s note: Although the news about the passing of Irish singer Moya Brennan is now a month old, it only crossed my desk today. Her music had a profound effect on me. Christian Activities would be remiss not to take a moment to celebrate the life of the First Lady of Celtic Music, and to acknowledge her great contributions to Celtic Christian and Irish Christian music as well as to the group Clannad. Moya Brennan, the iconic voice of Clannad…
2026 St. Patrick’s Day Articles, History & More
As the vibrant green of spring awakens the landscape, St. Patrick’s Day arrives each March 17th—a joyful feast day honoring Ireland’s patron saint and the miraculous spread of the Gospel to the Emerald Isle. What began as a solemn Christian observance commemorating St. Patrick, the 5th-century missionary who, after being captured and enslaved as a youth, returned in obedience to God’s call to bring the light of Christ to a pagan land, has grown into one of the world’s most…
A Brief Look at the Celtic Church
~ Some of the history of the Celtic Church is shrouded in mystery like the Celts themselves ~ Celtic Christianity is a term applied to a set of beliefs in Briton during the Middle Ages that differed from Roman Catholocism. Some writers and historians believe there was a distinct Celtic Church. This church influenced the Celtic people and distinguished them from the Roman Church. Other historians consider the Celtic Church to be only a set of distinctive practices which were found in certain parts…
Patrick — Christ’s Bold Witness
Shamrocks, leprechauns and the color green often mark the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17. But there is much more to the story of the man named Patrick, a truly bold and faithful missionary. Born in Britain in the fourth century, Patrick lived a full life, but not without his share of suffering and adventure. Just before he turned 16, Patrick was kidnapped from his family by Irish pirates. He was taken to Ireland, where he was sold…
The History & Traditions of St. Patrick’s Day
~ With Saint Patrick’s Day fast approaching, we take a look at the History & Traditions of St. Patrick’s Day ~ St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Today it is often associated with parades, wearing green, and festive gatherings. However, the holiday has deep historical and religious roots that go back over a thousand years. Origins of St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick, a 5th-century Christian missionary, is credited with bringing…
St. Patrick’s Day Poem
~ St. Patrick’s Day Poem ~ Marauding raiders from Ireland captured Patrick in Britain at age sixteen at his parents’ estate, up ’til that time in Patrick’s life, things were just great. He was taken to Ireland and sold to the highest bidder into slavery; a boy on his own was left in the wilderness to tend sheep, with nothing more than his bravery. Patrick survived for six years tending the sheep, continually praying and developing his relationship with God,…
Shamrock: Three Poems for Saint Patrick’s Day
~ In honor of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, whose day we celebrate every March, here is my shamrock of three poems written for Saint Patrick’s Day. ~ Ireland Acrostic I reland always beckoning:R ainbows and pots of gold;E merald Isle ever glistening in Celtic tales of old;L eprechauns, lurking, listening;A ncient Druids by Saints redeemed.N omad offspring seek those green shores,D rawn to Eire like ancient reckoning. St. Patrick the Shepherd, A Poem for St. Patrick’s Day…
St. Patrick’s Day Poems
~ Poems in honor of St. Patrick’s Day ~ Letter to a Saint Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland,As you turned to God in your captivity,May we, captives of sin, turn to the Father.And when we dream, may our dreamsDraw us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.As you in your Confession revealed allFrailties, we, too, on your day confessOur need to become “begotten in Christ.”Jane Hutto St. Patrick’s Day Marauding raiders from Ireland captured Patrick in Britain at age sixteen at…
Who Was St. Patrick?
~ Who Was St. Patrick? For Saint Patrick’s Day, we look at the life of an early leader of the Celtic Church ~ A Historical Look at Saint Patrick St. Patrick was not born in Ireland but was a British Celt. According to some sources St. Patrick was born in Wales or North Britain between 370 – 385 AD. Other scholars believe he was born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387. Still others place his birthplace…
