This man of the 5th century A.D., saint of Ireland, what he meant truly, behind the shamrocks and the snakes chased away,

Thus this sum, what he truly stood for,

“from the Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus by Saint Patrick,

a strong moral condemnation of violence, injustice, and slavery committed against fellow Christians.

Here’s the core idea in plain terms:

Condemning brutality and murder

Patrick is outraged that soldiers under Coroticus attacked newly baptized Irish Christians—killing some and capturing others. He calls these acts evil and completely against Christian teachings.

Opposing slavery

A major focus is that the captured Christians were sold into slavery (likely to pagan groups). Patrick denounces this as inhumane and sinful, especially because the victims were fellow believers.

Excommunication and warning

Patrick effectively excommunicates Coroticus and his men, saying they have cut themselves off from the Christian community unless they repent. He warns them of divine judgment if they don’t change.

Defending the vulnerable

He positions himself as a protector of his converts, showing that Christian leaders should stand up for the oppressed and powerless.

In short,

The letter is a passionate protest against unjust violence and slavery, insisting that true Christians must respect human life, reject exploitation, and live according to moral and spiritual law.”

And in part therein Patrick wrote,

“Soldiers whom I no longer call my fellow citizens, or citizens of the Roman saints, but fellow citizens of the devils, in consequence of their evil deeds;

who live in death, after the hostile rite of the barbarians; associates of the Scots and Apostate Picts;

desirous of glutting themselves with the blood of innocent Christians, multitudes of whom I have begotten in God and confirmed in Christ.”

Thus Patrick stood, thus he said.

I wear the green and the orange too on this day to recognize & celebrate my Irish blood, my Protestant and Catholic roots, and remember this man who stood for others.