Famous For: In the 12th century he was made the patron saint of Wales, with his feast day on 1 March.

"Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed."

Trivia: At one of his monasteries the life of austerity was so unpopular that the monks attempted to poison David. A saint is reputed to have warned him of the danger after travelling from Ireland on the back of a sea-monster. David ate the poisoned bread after blessing it, and came to no harm.

Biography: Born into an artistocratic family just outside the city that took his name, he was an advocate of the simple life. March 1 marks his death - it was declared a national day of celebration in Wales for the first time in the 18th century.

His mother, Saint Non, is said to have given birth to him on a rock.

The birth was described as being so painful that Non's fingers left marks as she grasped a rock. As David was born a bolt of lightning from heaven is said to have struck the rock, splitting it in two.

Brought up by his mother in Henfeynyw near Aberaeron, he is thought to have been baptised at nearby Porthclais by St Elvis of Munster.

He was educated at a monastery, usually taken to be Whitland in Carmarthenshire, under St Paulinus of Wales.

He is said to have cured his tutor of blindness by making the sign of the cross.

Paulinus sent him off as a missionary to convert the pagan people of Britain and during his extensive travels he is thought to have founded 12 monasteries.

David believed in a simple life. His monks rose at dawn to pray, and afterwards worked the fields around the monastery, pulling the ploughs themselves and praying as they worked.

They were expected to remain silent unless praying or in an emergency. They ate only bread and vegetables, and drank nothing but milk and water.

Perhaps the most famous story relating to St David happened as he preached to a large crowd at the synod of Llanddewi Brefi.

One of the crowd shouted, "We won't be able to see or hear him". The ground David stood on is said to have risen up so that so he could be seen and heard by all.

David founded a monastery in around 550, where St David's, the United Kingdom's smallest city, stands today. It is said by some that two pilgrimages to St David's are equal to one pilgrimage to the Vatican in Rome.

He is said to have lived for more than 100 years.

Moment of Glory: A blind monk, Movi, was cured after drops of baptismal water splashed into his eyes as he held David.

Kevin O'Connor, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, USA I was stationed at Brawdy for four years in the mid 80's. but once a month I would go to St. David's and take a 3 day vacation at a friends B&B. I always looked forward to getting to St. David's and relaxing and recharging. Fri Mar 6 13:23:13 2009 Mary Whisenand, Des Moines, Iowa USA I visited St. David's in the fall of 2005 after a twenty year absence. What joy to find that they were rebuilding the cloisters. A perfect blend of ancient and modern. St. David's was the only place I wanted to make certain I didn't miss on my return visit to Wales. Mon Feb 26 13:37:43 2007 Add your comments to this page here: Your name, surname and location: (All these details MUST be included for publication) Comment: Your Email Address The BBC reserves the right to select and edit comments. Find out how to make sure your comments are published. To submit a larger contribution or if you require a response please contact us.