St David's Day | Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant

St David’s Day | Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant 

March the 1st is a very special day here in Wales as it’s the day we celebrate our patron saint, St David. St David’s Day has been celebrated here in Wales since the 12th century. 
St David was born in the 6th century and legends say that he was born on a Pembrokeshire clifftop during a fierce storm, the spot is marked by a small ancient chapel, Capel Non named after his mother. Both his parents were said to be descended from Welsh Royalty with his grandfather being the King of Ceredigion.

Educated at the monastery of HenFynyw, David would grow up to found monastic settlements and churches across Wales. It is said that St David performed miracles, such as the ground rising beneath him while he preached to a large crowd. It Is legend that St David was able to restore the site of a blind man and bring a child back to life with his tears. It is also said that during a battle against the Saxons, David advised the soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could be easily recognised and this is why the leek went on to become an emblem of Wales!

St David was known for his very strict diet of water, bread and vegetables and became known as Dewi Ddyfrwr (David the water drinker), he travelled throughout Wales and Britain and is said to have made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 

St David died on March 1st 589 and is buried at St David’s Cathedral, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. In 1120, Pope Callactus II canonised David as a Saint and from here he became known as the Patron Saint of Wales where during the Middle Age his shrine became a popular place of pilgrimage.  

His famous last words remain relevant even today; 

“Be joyful, keep the faith and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do” 

Which have been coined into a very popular saying here in Wales. 

“Do the little things in life” | “Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd”

To celebrate St David’s day, the people of Wales will often be seen wearing one of the national emblems of Wales a daffodil or a leek, school children often dress up in traditional welsh costume and parades and concerts often take place throughout the country.  And of course, no traditional Welsh celebration would be complete without some bara brith and welsh cakes! 

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant Hapus i chi!

Happy St David’s Day to you!

**Interesting Fact**
The cathedral at St Davids actually makes St Davids the smallest city in Britain!