Saint Patrick was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland.
Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was never formally canonised, having lived prior to the current laws of the Catholic Church in these matters.
Nevertheless, he is venerated as a Saint in the Catholic Church and in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is regarded as equal-to-the-apostles and Enlightener of Ireland.
He is also regarded as a Saint within the framework of their respective doctrine by the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Churches.
Saint Patrick's Day is observed on 17 March, the supposed date of his death. It is celebrated inside and outside Ireland as a religious and cultural holiday.
In the dioceses of Ireland, it is both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation; it is also a celebration of Ireland itself.
