St. David's Day (01/03)

Saint David's Day — Patron of Wales — is one of the important holidays for Welsh residents and is celebrated as a patriotic and cultural festival for 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 colors.

Many prophets said that many miracles were predicted for him at the birth of St. David. March 1 is the day of David's death. St. David's Day has been celebrated as a religious festival in the Protestant Reformation since the 16th century. In the 18th century, the day became the national festival of Wales and is still so today.

Information about St. David, a churchman of the second half of the 6th century, has survived to this day from the work of a certain Rigifark, who lived at the end of the 11th century.



A monk named Peacock was the teacher of St. David. The monk was blind. David healed the monk, overshadowing him with the sign of the cross. Peacock blessed David to preach the Christian faith in Britain and educate the ancient Celts. David is believed to have founded 12 monasteries during his years of wandering. Saint David encouraged monks to lead humble lives and work hard.

The fame of Saint David spread throughout Britain during his lifetime. 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 to form a hill. In 640, a battle took place between the Welsh, led by King Cadwallader of Wales, and the Saxons, during which Saint David invited the Welsh to attach leek stems to their hats to distinguish themselves from their enemies. The battle was won.



On this day, images of St. David with a dove on his shoulder — as a symbol of the holy spirit are visible everywhere. Many Welsh people attach national symbols of — daffodils or leeks to their clothing. Cardiff, the capital of Wales, hosts festive events, and every Welsh family has traditional leek soup — Cawl Cennin on their tables. Children come to school on this day dressed in national costumes. And teenagers usually organize choral singing competitions.

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