Hierarch6th century

David of Wales

c. 500 - c. 589/601

Also known as Dewi · David of Menevia

Bishop and missionary of Wales who founded monasteries and a strict ascetic rule, became the chief shepherd of the Welsh church, and is honored as the patron saint of Wales.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales

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Missionary Work

Life

Saint David of Wales, known in Welsh as Dewi Sant, was a sixth-century bishop, monastic founder, and missionary who became the chief shepherd of the Welsh church and is honored as the patron saint of Wales. He was born around the year 500, by tradition the son of Saint Non.

David founded numerous monasteries across Wales, Cornwall (Dumnonia), and Brittany, the most famous at the site in Pembrokeshire where St David's Cathedral now stands. He is remembered for an exceptionally austere monastic Rule, for his role at the Synod of Brefi, and for his dying counsel to 'do the little things.' He reposed on March 1, the day on which he is commemorated.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide

TroparionTone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father David,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide

c. 500BirthDavid was born around the year 500. The traditional account places his birth at Henfynyw (Vetus-Menevia) in Ceredigion; he is held to be the son of Saint Non and grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda, king of Ceredigion.
c. 550Synod of BrefiAt the Synod of Brefi, David spoke against the Pelagian heresy, and his fellow monks elected him primate of the region. Tradition relates that as he preached the ground rose up to form a small hill, and a white dove, which became his emblem, settled on his shoulder.
c. 569Synod of VictoryAs primate, David later presided over a second council, the Synod of Victory, held at Caerleon around the year 569.
c. 589/601ReposeDavid reposed on March 1; the two years most commonly given are 589 and 601. He was buried at the church in Pembrokeshire that bears his name.

Contributions & Legacy

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Monastic Life and Rule

David established an exceptionally austere monastic community. By his Rule the monks pulled the plough themselves without draught animals, ate only bread with salt and herbs, and drank only water, from which they took the name 'watermen.' They kept a vegetarian discipline, consuming no meat or beer.

The brethren held no personal possessions; the tradition records that even to say 'my book' was reckoned an offence. The evenings were given to prayer, reading, and writing. David founded monastic settlements and churches in Wales, in Dumnonia (Cornwall), and in Brittany.

Episcopal Ministry

David rose to a bishopric and, according to the account, presided over two synods as primate of the Welsh church. Tradition relates that he traveled to Jerusalem, where he was consecrated bishop by the patriarch.

His seat was at Menevia (Mynyw), the site of the later St David's Cathedral, which became the principal church of the region.

Last Words and Legacy

By the tradition of his life, David's final counsel to his followers was to be steadfast and to 'do the little things' that they had seen and heard from him. This saying endures as a well-known maxim associated with him.

He is the patron saint of Wales, and the leek is his traditional symbol.

Relics & Shrines

David was buried at St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, which holds a shrine containing his bones. A shrine constructed in 1275 became a major pilgrimage destination throughout the Middle Ages, before it was stripped of its ornament during the Reformation.

Veneration

David's veneration spread widely after his death. His formal canonization in the Western church was recognized by Pope Callixtus II at Rome in 1120, through the efforts of Bernard, Bishop of St David's. As a saint of the undivided Church before the schism, he is honored across Christian traditions.

Family1 relativeShowHide

Family

By the tradition of his Life, David was born of holy and noble Welsh stock.

His mother, by tradition a holy woman of Wales venerated in her own right; David is held to be her son.

Saint Nonof Wales

Companions3 figuresShowHide

Fellow Welsh saint who, by the tradition of David's Life, accompanied him on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where the three were consecrated bishops.

Saint Teiloof Llandaff

Fellow Welsh saint and companion with David and Teilo on the traditional pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Saint Padarnof Ceredigion

Whom he lodged during his exile from Strathclyde; the apostle of Glasgow.

Kentigernof Glasgow