Saint David is the patron of Saint of Wales and is celebrated on the 1st of March. This was the date St David died in 589 AD.
Saint David was a renowned preacher. This day otherwise known as the feast of Saint David, is celebrated due to him founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Brittany and South West England.
The Welsh celebrate this patron Saint by wearing Welsh emblems such as daffodil pins, or the Welsh dragon. Daffodils are also sold throughout the nation on this day. With spring quickly approaching this is the perfect time to start giving daffodils to people in your life, to celebrate the Welsh Patron Saint.
Who was Saint David:
Some facts about Saint David himself are included below.
According to legend he was born on the top of a hill in Pembrokeshire during a fierce storm. Saint David also made pilgrimage to Jerusalem numerous times. This is where he brought back a stone which now sits at the altar in St David’s Cathedral.
Saint David was a monk, abbot and bishop, and he was canonised for spreading Christianity across the land. He did not eat meat or drink beer and was said to only consume leaks and water. This is why in parts, leaks have become a national symbol in the welsh community and beyond.
Saint David’s last words to his followers are claimed to have stated ‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd’, which translate to ‘Do the little things in life’. This phrase is still very well-known and delivered in religious sermons in Wales.
How to Celebrate this day:
St David’s day is on the 1st of March 2022, which means this year it is also pancake day. This means that you can celebrate the patron St of Wales whilst also tucking into a tasty pancake before lent begins.
Further ways to celebrate St David’s day include enjoying some Welsh cakes. These Tasty sweetbreads are traditional in the Welsh community, so devouring these whilst being surrounded by beautiful daffodils; and in this year pancakes too, set your day up to be a good, and tasty celebratory day for Wales.
Links to more Information about Saint David:
https://www.visitwales.com/info/history-heritage-and-traditions/have-happy-st-davids-day-celebration
https://www.visitwales.com/info/history-heritage-and-traditions/st-david-five-facts