Saint David – Patron Saint of Wales

We continue our series into the four saint’s of the UK&I with a look at Saint David, Patron Saint of Wales.

Saint David

Saint David is the only Saint in this article who was actually born in his own country of patronage. His birth was actually predicted decades earlier by Saint Patrick in one of his visions. 

While knowledge of Saint David may have been available before his birth, details of his life now are sketchy and mixed in with a healthy dose of legend and mysticism. David was born in the early part of the sixth century to Sant, the king of Ceredigion (now a county in Wales) and a nun called Nonnita (who may have been a niece to King Arthur). It is said he was born atop a cliff in a heavy storm in Pembrokshire. The site is marked today by Non’s Chapel.

Saint David grew up to be a priest. During his lifetime he made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he was consecrated bishop. He founded many churches and monasteries around England and Wales, including one at the site where today St David’s Cathedral is located. Incidentally the presence of a cathedral makes the area of St David’s a city – the smallest city in the UK! 

Saint David was a strict vegetarian, and a non-drinker. Legend has it he only drank water, and became known in Welsh as Dewi Ddyfrwr (“David the water drinker”). 

Saint David died on 1st March around 589 AD. In 1120AD he was canonised by Pope Callactus, and 1st March was declared Saint David’s Day. 

The Miracle of St David

The legends of Saint David’s miracles are spread far and wide, and no article about his jaw dropping feats would be complete without them. Saint David is said to have restored sight to a blind monk, brought back to life a child by splashing his face with tears, and brought water to baron land by striking his staff on the ground.

His most famous miracle occurred during a sermon to a large crowd in the village of Llanddewi Brefi. Followers were having difficulty hearing his voice. But then a white dove came and landed on the Saint’s shoulder. Just then, the ground rose up forming a hill from which he could project his preaching. The white dove is often seen alongside Saint David in stain glass windows of churches across Wales. 

The Leek

The Leek has been associated with Wales for centuries, but the origins of this association are also lost in history. One story suggests Saint David ordered his soldiers to wear a leek in their helmets when battling the Saxon Invaders from England.

St David’s Day Greeting Cards

The people of Wales are proud of their Welsh language, and it’s thriving – around 19% of the Welsh population speak Welsh alongside English. Wales is bilingual! 

Our Saint David’s Day cards come in both English and also in Welsh under our dedicated Welsh brand Pili Pala. See our range of English Saint David’s Day cards and Welsh Saint David’s Day cards here.