DAVID, Saint. — Bishop of Menevia (Myvyvy in Wales) of the 6th century. A 10th-century manuscript of the Annales Cambriae states that he died in 601.
The first biography, highly legendary and modeled on the life of St. Benedict, was written in the 11th century by Rhygyfarch. According to this account, DAVID was born to a certain Nonna, a nun who had been violated by Sant, a prince of Crete. Having become a monk, he evangelized Britain, founding 12 monasteries there. After escaping an attempt on his life by poisoning by the monks, he went to Jerusalem, where he was consecrated bishop. Upon his return to his homeland, he succeeded St. Dubric in the see of Caerleon, from which he later moved to Menevia, exercising great influence on monastic life in Wales and presiding over several synods. He died at the age of 147. In 666 his body was translated to Glastonbury; he was canonized by Callixtus II in 1120. Feast day: March 10.