St David was born in the parish of Henvynyw in Ceredigion around the end of the fith century, although his exact date of birth is unknown.
He is said to come from royal descent. His father Sant was the son of Ceredig, the Prince of Ceredigion, and his mother Non was the daughter of a local chieftain. The village of Llanon in Ceredigion is named after her.
After growing up in Ceredigion, St David left the area to go and study under St Illtyd in Llantwit Major in South Wales. A monk, an abbot and a bishop, he became one of the most influential figures in the Celtic church at the time - spreading the message of Christianity among the pagan tribes of Britain.
He founded a monastery in the Roman port of Menevia in Pembrokeshire, which later become known as the cathedral city of St David's. The monastery followed a strict and austere regime - David was a strict vegetarian and an advocate of hard physical labour.
Concrete facts about St David are difficult to come by and much of his life story seems to be subject to speculation and legend.
His first biography was compliled in the 11th century - almost 500 years after St David's death - by a monk called Rhigyfarch ap Sulien, the son of the bishop of St David at the time. The book 'Buchedd Dewi' ('Dewi's Life') claims that David cured the blindness of his tutor St Paulinius and that when he opened his eyes, he saw daffodils for the first time.
Rhigyfarch also records what has become the most famous legend surrounding St David. David was attending an important Church Synod meeting in Llanddewi Brefi near Tregaron. A huge crowd of people had gathered near the village church and many complained that they couldn't see or hear what was going on.
David placed a handkerchief on the ground and stood on it. Suddenly, a small hill is said to have risen from under his feet so that he could be seen by everyone. Some say that a dove then landed on his shoulder, a sign from God.
One of St David's most well-know teachings was that people should 'do the little things' in life - in Welsh, 'gwnewch y pethau bychain'.
David was canonised a Saint in 1120 by Pope Callistus II and March 1st - the date of David's death - was added to the Church calendar. He has been recognised as Patron Saint of Wales since that time. Pope Callistus II also decreed that two pilgrimages to St David's in Pembrokeshire would be equivalent to one pilgrimage to Rome.
A Christian monk and bishop from Ceredigion who became the Patron Saint of Wales.
