10 Facts about St. David - The Patron Saint of Wales

Here are 10 fun facts about St. David, or Dewi the patron saint of Wales:

1. He was a real person! – St. David (Dewi Sant in Welsh) was a 6th-century monk, abbot, and bishop who founded religious communities in Wales and beyond.
2. He performed miracles – His most famous miracle happened while he was preaching. The ground beneath him rose up to form a hill, making it easier for people to see and hear him.
3. He was a Vegan – St. David was known for his simple lifestyle. He and his monks ate only vegetables and drank only water, earning him the nickname “The Water Drinker.”
4. Leeks are his symbol – Legend says that St. David told Welsh soldiers to wear leeks on their helmets to distinguish themselves from their enemies in battle. That’s why leeks are a national symbol of Wales today!
5. He founded St. David’s – The small city of St. David’s in Pembrokeshire, named after him, became an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. The cathedral we see today is thought to be the 4th to stand on the site of David's original monastery
6. He lived for over 100 years! – Some accounts say St. David lived to be over 100 years old, which was incredibly rare for the time - maybe due to his vegan lifestyle!
7. His last words were inspirational – Before his death, he told his followers: "Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do." The phrase “Do the little things” is still a well-known Welsh saying.
8. March 1st is St. David’s Day – He died on March 1st, around 589 AD, and that’s why we celebrate their patron saint on this day every year.
9. A Pope recognized him as a saint – In 1120, Pope Callixtus II officially canonized him and declared that two pilgrimages to St. David’s shrine equaled one to Rome!
10. He’s on Welsh money – St. David appears on 50p coins and the £5 commemorative banknotes issued by the Royal Mint of Wales.