Apples are more than just the tasty treats in our orchards; they are mystical wonders steeped in tales and myths. From the Garden of Eden's sacred stories to the epic sagas of Greek and Norse legends and weaving through folklore, film and art, to the perfect pentagram in an apple’s heart.
Andrew Collings, from Wales Heritage Orchard Ltd, writes here in a guest post about St Teilo, Patron Saint of Fruit Trees - around whom myths also abound ...
St Teilo, a revered 6th-century monk and bishop, is the Welsh patron saint of fruit trees and horses. Though less well known today, he was once one of the most celebrated early saints of Wales, with over 25 churches and schools in Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany dedicated to him — second only to St David.
Born around 480–500 AD in Penally near Tenby, Teilo studied under St Paulinus at Whitland, Carmarthenshire, where he became close friends with St David (or a cousin of St David's, say some texts). According to medieval manuscripts, they travelled together with Saint Padarn to Jerusalem for ordination.
Teilo founded the episcopal church of Llandeilo Fawr in Dyfed, which became a major centre of early Welsh Christianity. During a Yellow Fever outbreak around 549 AD, he and his followers fled to Dol in Brittany, where they lived for seven years. There, Teilo became the subject of many legends — including taming a dragon and riding a stag to claim land for his community. Pertinent to orchards, Teilo ‘planted a large grove for a fruit-bearing orchard, more or less three miles in length’, with St Sansom. in Brittany, 'from Dol to Cai'.
After returning to Wales, Teilo’s influence spread widely. Following his death around 560 AD, a miraculous story claimed his body multiplied into three — one for each of the churches that wished to keep his remains (Penally, Llandeilo, and Llandaff). His feast day is celebrated on 9th February in Wales, while in Brittany he is honoured on 24th October and 29th November, reflecting his enduring cross-cultural legacy, where villages (e.g. Landeleau, Landaul and Saint-Thélo) bear his name.
In around 554, Teilo and his followers returned from Brittany to Llandeilo Fawr. After the death of St David, Teilo became revered as one of the most holy men in Wales. He was joined at Llandeilo by many disciples, including Cynfwr, Teulyddog, and Llywel. He died at the abbey of Llandeilo Fawr on 9th February, probably around the year 560.
St Teilo is most famous today for what is said to have happened after his death. According to an account in the early 12th century by Geoffrey of Llandaff, there was a dispute over his body. Three churches claimed his remains: Penally (where he was born), Llandeilo (where he founded his church and died), and Llandaff (which claimed him as their bishop). During the night, the body is said to have miraculously multiplied into three, one for each church, thus settling the argument.
In the early Middle Ages, it was financially advantageous for cathedrals to possess relics or shrines to attract pilgrims. Geoffrey’s account conveniently explained why there were three different sets of relics, yet all apparently true. The tomb of Teilo in Llandaff Cathedral is the most probable original, and his shrine on the south side of the high altar became a popular place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.
St Teilo’s Well also became a place of pilgrimage. Pilgrims came from far and wide to drink its spring water, believed to cure paralysis and similar ailments. Today, the waters have been diverted into a nearby reservoir, but the well — used in the 19th century for outdoor baptisms — still remains beside the Victorian church built on the site.
So this February 9th, celebrate St Teilo and his grove planting - plant a tree, have a work day, prepare your trees and your own groves for the bountiful harvest to come.
See St Teilo in stained glass windows here, and a longer piece on St Teilo by Carwyn Graves from 2023 here.
Visit our St Teilo's Day resource page to get ideas and support for your St Teilo celebration >
Visit our Orchards page for information on our events and activites >