The world's tallest statue of the patron saint of Ireland has been illuminated in red to highlight the plight of persecuted Christians along with religious minorities around the world.
The St Patrick monument at Saul in County Down, where the saint began his mission in Ireland in 432AD, was lit with the blessing of the Bishop of Down and Connor, Alan McGuckian SJ, whose diocese manages the national shrine.
This is the first time the imposing monument on Slieve Patrick, which rises from the top of the small mountain to a height of 47 feet, has been lit red for the "Week of Witness" that has been organised by the Catholic charity Aid to a Church in Need (ACN).
