Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

Posted by Ray Cousins on Mar 01, 2020

Having it’s origin in Wales, U.K - BORTH BEACH SOAPERY celebrates St. David’s Day this Sunday (3/1). Although this patron saint died in 589 A.D the tradition is still very much alive, and is celebrated extensively within Wales as well as many ‘pockets’ of Welsh activity throughout the World.

He was born to Lady Non, a nun at Ty Gwyn near Whitesands Bay. She was very beautiful and attracted the attention of Prince Sandde of Ceredigion who forced himself upon her. This resulted in her pregnancy with a son who would later become St. David. Miracles started happening while Non was pregnant, leading people to believe that she carried a great soul in her womb. She gave birth in the middle of a violent storm, and her baby boy was born in a sea of brilliant light. The year of his birth is uncertain; he is believed to have been born between 462 and 512. It is said that St. David's birth had been foretold 30 years before by an angel to St. Patrick.

St. David was known to have performed several miracles. He could cure blindness and even bring back the dead to life. However, his greatest miracle happened when he was preaching in the middle of a large crowd at the Synod of Brefi. A small hill miraculously rose under him so that his preaching could reach everyone around him.

St. David lived a very long life. He is believed to have died on 1 March, a Tuesday. It is generally accepted that he died in 589 as 1 March fell on a Tuesday that year. The monastery is said to have been "filled with angels as Christ received his soul." He was buried at St David's Cathedral at St David's, Pembrokeshire and canonized by Pope Callistus II in the year 1120.

So now, try saying ‘Gwyl Dewi Sant hapus’! In English that would be ‘Happy St David’s Day.

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