Sunday, February 28, 2021

David of Wales


Saint David of Wales

Also known as

· David the Briton
· Degui
· Dewi
· Dewi Sant
· Dewid
· Dewm
· Dewn
· Dmui

memorial
· 1 March

Profile

Saint David, unlike Saint Grwst, has a couple of vowels in his name so as such he is the more popular patron of Wales. Take a gander at some of his other cognomen’s though….he is pretty lucky David is what he goes by. David was born to Welsh royalty, and is the uncle of Arthur, King of the Britons. He was the founder of many monasteries, schools churches and the like; he was consecrated Bishop and later Archbishop of Wales.

After a vision in his monastery he set out next day with two monks to Jerusalem to aid the Patriarch. While there it is said, his preaching converted many anti-Christians. This may be legendary as I find it difficult to believe the natives of Jerusalem understood the Welsh Language: “Mae fy hofrenfad yn llawn llyswennod!” *

Wales has always been a fountain of fantastic legends it is home to giants and other incredible beasts. Naturally, our saint’s life is no exception it is filled with fantastic stories. Legend says that once while he was preaching, a dove descended to his shoulder to show he had the blessings of the Spirit, and that the earth rose to lift him high above the people so that they all could hear him. Another time when he was preaching to a crowd at Llandewi Brefi, people on the outer edges could not hear, so he spread a handkerchief on the ground, stood on it, and the ground beneath rose up in a pillar so all could hear.

On St Patrick’s Day the Irish wear shamrocks. On St. David’s day the Welch wear leeks.

Born
· c.542 at Menevia (now Saint David’s), Wales

Died
· c.601 at Mynyw, Wales (no comment) of natural causes

Name Meaning
· bevoweled one

Patronage
· doves
· Wales

Representation
· preaching on a hill
· dove
· Celtic bishop with long hair, a beard, and a dove perched on his shoulder
· holding his cathedral
· leeks
· man standing on a pillar with a dove on his shoulder


*The Eels have gotten into my hovercraft

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