The First and Second Synods of Saint Patrick are two early Hiberno-Latin canonical texts that reflect the evolving structure and concerns of the Irish Church in the sixth and seventh centuries. Though traditionally attributed to Patrick and his companions, modern scholarship agrees that these texts were compiled later. The First Synod emphasizes clerical discipline and Church organization, with a strong episcopal focus and a notable number of canons prescribing penance or excommunication, while the Second Synod continues this regulatory tone, addressing pastoral care, penance, and monastic oversight. Both texts are best understood as synodal acta rather than penitentials in the strict sense, yet they provide valuable insight into early Irish canon law, ecclesiastical authority, and the integration of local and continental traditions.
Second Synod of Saint Patrick
Medieval Penitential Literature 