St Woolos Cathedral

'An extract from R. H. John's "History of St Gwynllw's Church", 1893.

On a certain night while they slept an angelic voice addressed them and after some spiritual exhortation commanded them to leave the secular things they possessed, and further informed them as follows:
"About the banks of the river is a certain mountain where a white ox is seen, one black spot on its high forehead, beneath its horns. It is a good mark whereby it may be distinguished by those who meet it. The land which thou wilt possess is now uncultivated. It will be tilled by oxen. It will be called thy territory for the reasons that have been aduced."
Awaking in the morning, Gwynllw recalled the dream to his memory and related minutely to his attendants what he had seen. Those particulars having been heard and all mournfully grieving, he departed from the royal palace at Caerleon, and having resigned from the government, he committed to his son Cadoc the charge of governing.
Going from thence he travelled until he came to the mount predicted by the angel where it was appointed for him to reside. A white ox with a black spot high on his forehead, as predicted by the angel, met him coming to the place. The holy Gwynllw, having seen the ox, rejoiced and was confirmed that the heavenly messenger had predicted true things.
Therefore he said, "This agricultural ox designates that this country is to be cultivated. Performing agriculture it gives signs to those who cultivate the land. See coasts with fields and a wood with high groves as seen far and wide. There is no prospect in the world such as is in the space where I am now to dwell. A fruitful place and, inhabiting it, I shall therefore be the more happy."
Having said these words by the divine appointment and concession of Dubricius, Bishop of Llandaff, he there remained and built an habitation and consequently marked out a burying place, in the middle whereof he built a church with boards and rods which he diligently visited with frequent prayers.

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