Unlike the other British Patron Saints, St David (Sant Dewi) was native to the country of which he is the Patron Saint. Much is known about St David but this birth date is uncertain and is thought to be between 462 to 512 AD. He was born in Ceredigion in central west Wales on a cliff top in a raging storm and is reputed to have been the son of Usai, the King of Ceredigion. He died on 1st March 589 as far as records show. In his last sermon, just 2 days before his death, he is reported to have said ‘Do the little things in life’ a common phrase still used in Wales.
During his life he was a church official who rose to the status of bishop and founded monasteries in Wales and Cornwall while the majority of the local tribes were pagan. St. David’s Cathedral still stands on one of the sites of his monasteries. It was reputed by an eleventh century scribe who wrote about St David that he also founded Glastonbury Abbey, though it is more likely that David extended the existing building. He also made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Rome.
Many stories are ascribed to him including raising a youth back from death. One of the more common is that he attended Synod of Llanddewi Brefi, where the debate as to whether he should be made Archbishop of Wales was taking place. A large crowd gathered and when David stood to address them there were call from the crowd that they could not see or hear him. At this point the ground is said to have raised him up so all could see and hear.
His reputation continued to spread even after his death and some 400 years later a 10th century poem talks of the people of Wales would unite behind their leader David. He was officially recognised by the Pope in 1120.
Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus!
