"Patrick placed Asicus at Elphin but it does not state whether he was then a bishop or not. According to the chronology of the Tripartite Asicus would have been fixed at the place about A.D. 437 (see chap. v sction ix) at which time he could not have been a bishop. "fter some words we read in said passage: 'Assicus sanctus episcopus fuit faber acris Patricii.' Here he is called bishop; but the addition of his having worked in brass for St. Patrick would seem to indicate that his promotion did not take place, at least, until after the foundation of Armagh, when the saint, having a permanent restidence had occasion to employ him. Next we may suppose, that he was not made bishop of Elphin until after he had ceased to work at Armagh, as he must have resided in his diocese. The passage referred to above may, I think, be explained in the following manner. Ascius was placed at Elphin when a priest by St. Patrick not many years after the commencement of his mission; when Armagh was founded he was summoned thither to assist in making utensils for the use of the church; afterwards, but whether before or after the death of the saint cannot be ascertained, he became bishop of Elphin." (Vol. I, 2nd Edition, 1829, Chapt. VII, p. 343)
A wonderful account of St. Assicus can also be round here.
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