Hari
OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and
parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
March 1st is St. Davids Day, the national day of Wales and has been
celebrated as such since the 12th Century. Today the celebrations usually
involve the singing of traditional songs followed by a Te Bach, a tea with bara
brith (famous welsh fruited bread) and teisen bach (welsh cake). Young girls
are encouraged to wear national costume and leeks or daffodils are worn, being
the national symbols of Wales.
So who was St. David (or Dewi Sant in Welsh)? Actually not too much
is known about St David except from a biography written around 1090 by
Rhygyfarch, son of the Bishop of St. Davids.
David was reputedly born on a cliff-top near Capel Non (Non's
chapel) on the South-West Wales coast during a fierce storm. Both his parents
were descended from Welsh royalty. He was the son of Sandde, Prince of Powys,
and Non, daughter of a chieftain of Menevia (now the little cathedral town of
St David's). The site of David's birth is marked by the ruins of a tiny ancient
chapel close to a holy well and the more recent 18th century chapel dedicated
to his mother Non can still be seen near St. David's Cathedral.
In medieval times it was believed that St David was the nephew of
King Arthur. Legend has it that the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick - also
said to have been born near the present day city of St. Davids - forsaw the
birth of David in approximately 520AD.
The young David grew up to be a priest, being educated at the
monastery of Hen Fynyw under the tutorage of St. Paulinus. According to legend
David performed several miracles during his life including restoring Paulinus'
sight. It is also said that during a battle against the Saxons, David advised
his soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could easily be
distinguished from their enemies, which is why the leek is one of the emblems
of Wales!
A vegetarian who ate only bread, herbs and vegetables and who drank
only water, David became known as Aquaticus or Dewi Ddyfrwr (the water drinker)
in Welsh. Sometimes, as a self-imposed penance, he would stand up to his neck
in a lake of cold water, reciting Scripture! It is also said that milestones
during his life were marked by the appearance of springs of water.
Becoming a missionary David travelled throughout Wales and Britain
and even made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he was consecrated bishop. He
founded 12 monasteries including Glastonbury and one at Minevia (St. Davids)
which he made his bishops seat. He was named Archbishop of Wales at the Synod
of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi), Cardiganshire in 550.
Monastery life was very strict, the brothers having to work very
hard, cultivating the land and pulling the plough. Many crafts were followed -
beekeeping, in particular, was very important. The monks had to keep themselves
fed as well as provide food and lodging for travellers. They also looked after
the poor.
St David died on 1 March 589A.D., at Minevia, allegedly over 100
years old. His remains were buried in a shrine in the 6th century cathedral
which was ransacked in the 11th century by Viking invaders, who plundered the
site.
After his death, his influence spread far and wide, first through
Britain and then by sea to Cornwall and Brittany. In 1120, Pope Callactus II
canonised David as a Saint. Following this he was declared Patron Saint of
Wales. Such was Davids influence that many pilgrimages were made to St.
David's, and the Pope decreed that two pilgrimages made to St. Davids equalled
one to Rome while three were worth one to Jerusalem. Fifty churches in South
Wales alone bear his name.
It is not certain how much of the history of St. David is fact and
how much is mere speculation. However in 1996 bones were found in St. David's
Cathedral which, it is claimed, could be those of Dewi himself. Perhaps these
bones can tell us more about St David: priest, bishop and patron saint of
Wales.