St. Patrick did the unbelievable and lit a fire on Easter, causing the Druids and the King to realize that another God had entered Ireland. Fires were forbidden on that sacred hill, so St. Patrick did something very symbolic.
We need symbols, as we are body and blood, flesh and spirit. Patrick's fire spread all over Ireland as Christianity grew.
We need more Patricks, and more great symbolic actions, as well as real confrontation with evil.