Celebrate St. Patrick with St.Paul's on the Green

When St. Patrick day rolls around this year, St. Paul’s on the Green will have a new addition to its sanctuary—a hand-painted icon of St. Patrick of Ireland in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, one of six icons commissioned from Mary Street, a long-time resident of North Reading, Massachusetts. Street was drawn by the spiritual beauty inherent in icons and attended a workshop offered by the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge. She quickly discovered that she loved the work, and, more importantly, that it was a powerful way to experience God in her life in a new and deeply personal way. Her initial interest grew into a real passion, just as her skills and knowledge grew. Others who saw her work were quick to appreciate its beauty and spiritual depth, and she soon found herself accepting requests and commissions to create icons for parishes and individuals. St. Paul’s has commissioned icons of six Celtic saints from her.

The Celtic Tradition is one that has been honored and incorporated at St. Paul’s on the Green over the past ten years, especially in a weekly Celtic Eucharist. Inherent in this tradition is a strong focus connection with creation and nature, radical hospitality, and an emphasis on community.

By the early fifth century Christianity had spread to Ireland. Saint Patrick established churches which were small enclosures in which groups of Christians, often of both sexes and including the married, lived together, served in various roles and ministered to the local population. His icon at St. Paul’s will be added to the company of saints Brendan the Navigator, Brigid of Kildare, and Columba of Scotland, awaiting the arrival of saints Cuthbert of Lindisfarne and Hilda of Whitby later this year.

The public is invited to the Celtic Eucharist on Tuesday, March 15, at 6 pm at which time the icon of St. Patrick will be blessed and displayed.