Dewi Sant
The patron Saint of Wales, Dewi Sant (Dewi is David in English), did exist and is believed to have lived from around 500 – 589. His mother was called Non, and his father, Sant, was the son of Ceredig, King of Ceredigion.
Dewi became a bishop and he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. He had connections with Brecon having visited during his pilgrimage around Wales and his name lives on with Saint David's Church in Llanfaes, the Local Authority built houses, Ffynnon Dewi (David's Well) and the new housing development, Parc Dewi Sant (Dewi Sant's Park).
Even the name Llanfaes itself is a reference to St David. It's derived from the Welsh - Llandewi yn y Maes - which translates as St. David’s in the Field. It is probable that the site and the name of the present Church were chosen because of the close proximity of a fresh water well called Ffynnon Dewi (David’s Well) which was situated approximately 150 metres south of the church. It is believed that St. David drank from this well during his time in Brecon.
It's generally accepted that St David died in 589. His last words to his followers were in a sermon on the previous Sunday. These were transcribed as 'Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.' http://sucs.org/~rhys/stdavid.html
'Do the little things' ('Gwnewch y pethau bychain') is today a very well-known phrase in Welsh, and has proved an inspiration to many
St. David spoke an old form of Welsh fourteen centuries ago and he has become synonymous with keeping the language alive. Welsh is one of the oldest living European languages, and although oppressed for centuries, it is alive and growing today.
Schools celebrate St David's Day on March 1st (the day he is said to have died) with Eisteddfodau and concerts. Young girls wear what has become accepted as the national costume and young boys wear Welsh rugby shirts. The custom of wearing national costume doesn't seem to be as fervent today however.
I remember a Miss Wales competition at my Aberdare school, back in the 1960s. This was not a beauty competition but girls were judged on the authenticity of their Welsh costume – a coarse Welsh flannel skirt and apron, a flannel betgwn (an over jacket which tied in the back), a paisley or wool shawl, removable cotton cuffs, a white cotton bonnet and a tall, black felt hat. Even the shoes were examined and many girls wore large metal buckles held on with elastic. I won the competition in 1971, the last year that it was organised.
Cewch diwrnod neis 'fory.
Links for further information about St David:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/david_1.shtml
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/275/
http://sucs.org/~rhys/stdavid.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_David
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/david_1.shtml
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