St. David's Day

This holiday is very important for the people of Wales.St David is the patron saint of Wales. This holiday is very important to the people of Wales and is celebrated as a patriotic and cultural festival of Wales around the world. The saint will be honored not only by Welsh people, but also by residents of other countries whose ancestors lived in Wales. In New York, the Empire State Building will be illuminated in green, red and white.

Many prophets said that at the birth of St. David he was predicted many miracles. March 1 is the day David died. St. David’s Day has been celebrated as a religious festival since the 16th century Protestant Reformation. In the 18th century, this day became the national festival of Wales, and it remains so to this day.

Information about St. David, a church figure of the second half of the VI century, came to our days from the work of a certain Rigifarka, who lived at the end of the XI century.

According to legend, 30 years before David was born, an angel descended to St. Patrick and informed him that a great saint would be born in Wales.

The father of St. David was a prince named Sand. Her mother, who was called Non, also had noble roots. It is believed that she was the niece of King Arthur.

Sand asked for the hand of Non, he was refused, but he could not contain his attraction to the girl. According to legend, when the boy was born, lightning pierced the sky and smashed the rock in half.

A monk named Pavlinius taught St. David. The monk was blind. David healed the monk with a sign of the cross. Paulinius blessed David to preach the Christian faith in Britain, to enlighten the ancient Celts.

During his travels, David founded 12 monasteries. St. David urged monks to lead a modest life and work hard.

The brothers rose at dawn and worked in the fields until sunset. David forbade the use of animals in work: the monk brothers dragged the plow themselves. The brothers ate vegetables and bread and drank milk or water. David drank only water, hence his nickname Aquaticus.

The fame of St. David spread throughout Britain. His cabin became a place of pilgrimage. One of the most famous legends about St. David tells that during his address to the flock, the ground under his feet rose, forming a hill.

Many scholars believe that upon his return from Jerusalem he was proclaimed Archbishop of Wales. Other researchers disagree with this statement, considering that at that time it was impossible to talk about a separate Archbishopric of Wales.

One thing is certain: St. David was a central church figure of the time, and his life fell on the rise of Welsh Christian consciousness.

In 640 AD, a battle took place between the Welsh under the King of Wales Cadwallader and the Saxons, during which St. David suggested that the Welsh should attach leek stems to their hats to distinguish themselves from their enemies. The battle was won, and St. David (Dewey) was canonized by the Roman Church in 1120 as a high priest who converted Celtic tribes to Christianity. The leek has become the emblem of Welsh glory, and Welsh people celebrate St. David Day on March 1st to celebrate the King's victory.

On this day, images of St. George are visible everywhere. David with a dove on his shoulder is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Many Welsh people attach national symbols to their clothes - daffodil or leek. In Cardiff, the capital of Wales, there are celebrations, and on the tables in every Welsh family there is a traditional leek soup – Cawl Cennin. Children come to school dressed in national costumes. And teenagers usually organize choral singing contests.

Don't forget to congratulate the Welsh!