17 Facts About Saint David

Saint David was a native of Wales, and tradition has preserved a relatively large amount of detail about his life.

Saint David is traditionally believed to be the son of Non and the grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda, king of Ceredigion.

Many of the traditional tales about Saint David are found in the Buchedd Dewi, a hagiography written by Rhygyfarch in the late 11th century.

Saint David became renowned as a teacher and preacher, founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Dumnonia, and Brittany.

St Saint David's Cathedral stands on the site of the monastery he founded in the Glyn Rhosyn valley of Pembrokeshire.

Saint David is said to have denounced Pelagianism during this incident and he was declared archbishop by popular acclaim according to Rhygyfarch, bringing about the retirement of Dubricius.

The Monastic Rule of Saint David prescribed that monks had to pull the plough themselves without draught animals, and must drink only water and eat only bread with salt and herbs.

Saint David lived a simple life and practised asceticism, teaching his followers to refrain from eating meat and drinking beer.

Around forty years later William of Malmesbury, believing the Abbey older, said that Saint David visited Glastonbury only to rededicate the Abbey and to donate a travelling altar including a great sapphire.

Saint David had had a vision of Jesus who said that "the church had been dedicated long ago by Himself in honour of His Mother, and it was not seemly that it should be re-dedicated by human hands".

Saint David was officially recognised at the Holy See by Pope Callixtus II in 1120, thanks to the work of Bernard, Bishop of St Saint David's.

Saint David was canonized by the Eastern Orthodox Church at an unknown date.

Saint David is recognised as bishop of Menevia in Wales who governed his monastery following the example of the Eastern Fathers.

The restored Shrine of Saint David was unveiled and rededicated by the Right Reverend Wyn Evans, Bishop of St David's, at a Choral Eucharist on Saint David's Day, 2012.

Saint David is usually represented standing on a hill with a dove on his shoulder.

Saint David is thought to be associated with corpse candles, lights that would warn of the imminent death of a member of the community.

The story goes that Saint David prayed for his people to have some warning of their death, so that they could prepare themselves.