Patrick’s Paschal Fire on the Hill of Slane
The Hill of Slane is an archaeology site which has been connected to Patrick for centuries. According to tradition, Patrick lit a paschal fire here in 433 A.D. in defiance of the local pagan king. Paschal comes from the Hebrew word, Pesach, meaning Passover. The Paschal fire celebrates the Passover mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ, and is lit in certain church denominations just before Easter.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica:
Patrick challenged royal authority by lighting the Paschal fire on the hill Slane on the night of Easter Eve. It chanced to be the occasion of a pagan festival at Tara, during which no fire might be kindled until the royal fire had been lit.”
The Hill of Tara was about 10 miles away. It was a significant pagan worship site, going back millennia. It contains a number of ancient monuments, and according to tradition, was the seat of the High King of Ireland. Here’s how Muirchu’, a writer from the late 600’s, described Patrick’s challenge to the Druids at Tara that evening:
The custom was that whoever lit a fire before the king on that one night of the year — Easter’s eve — would be put to death.
…Patrick lit the paschal fire before the king on the hill of Slane.
The people saw Patrick’s fire throughout the plain, and the king ordered a number of chariots to go and seize Patrick…
The king exclaimed,
“If we do not extinguish this flame it will sweep over all Ireland.”
Seeing that the heathen were about to attack him, Patrick rose and said clearly and loudly,
“May God come up to scatter his enemies, and may those who hate him flee from his face.”
…By Patrick’s curse in the king’s presence, seven times seven men fell … And the king, driven by fear, came and bent his knees before the holy man.
Many have called this event Patrick’s Elijah-type encounter with the pagan leaders in the region. Patrick, who had stoked his fire in honor of Christ’s resurrection, so impressed the local population, that the high king ordered the protection of Patrick and his new religion in this area.
Patrick had an early victory for the Gospel at the Hill of Slane. With the support of the local king, this event gave Patrick momentum in this region of Ireland. However, as Patrick expanded his preaching, there are accounts of Druid kings in other regions trying to ambush and kill Patrick nearly a dozen times.
In Confession, Patrick wrote:
Daily I expect murder, fraud or captivity, but I fear none of these things because of the promises of Heaven …
The merciful God often freed me from slavery and from twelve dangers in which my life was at stake-not to mention numerous plots …
God is my witness, who knows all things even before they come to pass, as He used to forewarn even me … of many things by a divine message …
I came to the people of Ireland to preach the Gospel, and to suffer insult from the unbelievers …
I am prepared to give even my life without hesitation and most gladly for His name, and it is there that I wish to spend it until I die.”
Patrick’s Paschal Fire on the Hill of Slane
Randall acts as the lead writer for ColdWater’s Drive Thru History® TV series and Drive Thru History® “Adventures” curriculum.