Palladius

Who they were

Palladius was the first bishop sent to Ireland, by Pope Celestine, in 431. The chronicle of St. Prosper of Aquitaine records that in 429, at the urging of the deacon Palladius, the pope sent St. Germanus of Auxerre to root out the Pelagian heresy in Britain, and that in 431 Palladius was consecrated and sent 'to the Irish believing in Christ' as their first bishop. He was probably a deacon of the Roman Church.

He landed near where Wicklow now stands. The local chief did not welcome him, though some were baptised and he founded a few churches, among them Cellfine, where he left books and relics given him by the pope. The old Life of St. Patrick says his mission failed and that he died in Britain on his way back. He is honoured in the Scottish calendar on 6 July.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

The first bishop sent by Rome to the Irish, before St. Patrick.

Connected on this site

• Germanus of Auxerre Saint
  “Germanus of Auxerre to root out the Pelagian heresy in Britain, and that in 431 Palladius was consecrated and sent 'to the Irish believing in Christ' as their first bishop.” — this site's research
• Prosper of Aquitaine Saint
  “Prosper of Aquitaine records that in 429, at the urging of the deacon Palladius, the pope sent St.” — this site's research