St. David – The Patron Saint of Wales
Saint David, who lived from about 520 to 589 A.D., was an abbot-bishop and the patron saint of Wales. In Welsh he is known as Dewi. The main source of information about him comes from a biography written in the year 1090 by the Welsh scholar Rhygyfarch.1
According to that account, David was born at Saint Bride's Bay (near the modern town of Pembrokeshire), and he was the son of noble parents. His family belonged to the royal house of Ceredigion.2 Other accounts about him say that his mother was a holy woman called Saint Non.3 Yet another story about his birth says that he was born at Henvynyw (modern Vetus-Menevia) in Cardiganshire. It is said that David was educated by the famous Illtud at the monastery school of Llantwit Major.4
After his ordination to the priesthood, he began missionary journeys to the Holy Land, where he was made a bishop.5 After returning to Wales he became a monk and founded the monastery of Mynyw (Menevia), which is now known as St. David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. This newer church was built on the exact location of David's original monastery. More than 50 churches have been named after him and still exist today. He later moved the seat of church government from Caerleon to Mynyw, which is still the cathedral city of Western Wales today.6 Like many church leaders of the time, he was a bishop as well as an abbot. St. David’s monastery was a popular center of learning, especially among scholars from Ireland. At Mynew, St. David set up a religious community that emphasized a frugal lifestyle. Although he lived on bread, herbs, and water, St.David was said to be almost 6 feet tall, handsome, and very strong.7
Many legends are told about David so it can be hard to determine the truth amongst much exaggeration. One famous story says David is responsible for making leeks the traditional Welsh symbol. The tale goes that the Welsh people were preparing to do battle with the Saxons. St. David advised them all to put leeks into their hats so they could easily recognize who was Saxon and who was not. David is also mentioned in many stories about the legendary King Arthur. Many medieval versions of his life say that he was Arthur's nephew, although the writer Geoffrey of Monmouth calls him Arthur's uncle. Another interesting legend tells that David was reluctantly persuaded to attend the Synod of Brewi and there a hill miraculously rose up before him. He preached so loudly from the top of this hill that he converted the Pelagian heretics to Christianity. Later, David is said to have asked King Arthur to allow him to move his Bishop's see from Caerleon to Menevia. After this was granted by Arthur, St.David ruled the church of Wales until his death at the age of 147 years.8 David died in A.D. 600, and his last words were, “Be cheerful and keep your faith”.9 His feast day is celebrated on March 1.10
After David’s death, the Welsh undertook a certain amount of missionary work, but very little attention was paid to the neighboring pagan English. Instead the Welsh tried to convert their fellow Celts living in Cornwall, Ireland, and Brittany. 11
