Today (01/03/2024) is Saint David's Day, or the Feast of Saint David, a celebration of the patron saint of Wales. It is celebrated on the anniversary of the date of St. David's death in 589 AD. This Christian feast day has been celebrated since David was canonised by Pope Callixtus II during the twelfth century.
Many of the traditional tales about David are found in the hagiography Buchedd Dewi, or the "Life of David", written by Rhygyfarch in the late eleventh century. According to legend, David performed several miracles throughout his life, including restoring the sight of a blind man. David was a missionary who travelled throughout Britain and founded twelve monasteries. He even made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
People celebrate St. David’s Day by wearing daffodils and leeks, the national symbols of Wales and St. David respectively. The leek became associated with St. David because it is said that he advised his soldiers to wear leeks when going into battle with the Saxons. This, he claimed, would enable them to differentiate between friendly and enemy troops. On St. David’s Day parades are held in the major cities of Wales, including Aberwyswth, Cardiff, and Swansea. People eat customary Welsh food and women are encouraged to wear traditional dress.
BOA wishes everyone who is celebrating a happy St David's Day.