St Dwynwen’s Day - 25 January
Saint Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of friendship and love
and Saint Dwynwen’s Day, Dydd Santes Dwynwen, is celebrated on 25
January.
Dwynwen, the daughter of Brychan Brycheiniog, the
King of Wales, lived during the 5th century and was renowned for
her beauty. As the legend goes, Dwynwen had fallen in love with
Maelon Dafodrill, but her father had already made arrangements for
her to marry someone else. When Maelon discovered this he lost his
temper, turned on Dwynwen then left her. Heartbroken, Dwynwen
turned to God and asked him to release her from her feelings for
Maelon.
In a dream, an angel visits her, and provides her with a
magic potion. Maelon drinks the potion and is immediately turned to
ice. Dwynwen then prays that Maelon be released; that, through her,
God should look after all true lovers; and that she should remain
unmarried. Her requests are granted and in order to show her
gratitude Dwynwen decides to devote the rest her life to God.
St Dwynwen’s Day has grown in popularity recently and many Welsh
people celebrate their relationship on this day instead
of St Valentine’s Day in February.