St David

St David (c. 520-c. 589), abbot-bishop and patron saint of Wales, known in Welsh as Dewi. The principal source of information about him is the biography written (about 1090) by the Welsh scholar Rhygyfarch. According to that account, David was born near St Bride's Bay (modern Pembrokeshire), the son of noble parents. After his ordination to the priesthood, he began missionary journeys that eventually took him to the Holy Land, where he was consecrated bishop. Upon his return to Wales, he took a prominent part in two synods: one at Brefi (about 560) and the other at Caerleon (about 569); both sought to suppress Pelagianism, a Christian heresy that denied original sin. David is also thought to have founded many churches throughout South Wales, and his shrine at St David's, formerly Mynyw (Menevia), became a special place of pilgrimage. His feast day is March 1.