About David the Dendrite
Lived 450 – 535 (aged 84–85). David the Dendrite was a Byzantine monk.
David the Dendrite (, c. 450–540), also known as David the tree-dweller and David of Thessalonika, is a saint of Thessaloniki. David became a monk at the Monastery of Saints Merkourios and Theodore outside Thessaloniki. Famed for his sound advice, he was hounded by crowds seeking words of wisdom and prayer. Wishing a quiet, contemplative life, David fled to the seclusion of an almond tree, where he lived for three years.
He left the tree to petition the Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great in Constantinople to send soldiers to defend Thessaloniki from attack. David died in 540 as his ship was en route to Macedonia.
David is commemorated on June 26 (by the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church ).
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped David the Dendrite's
Frequently asked questions
Who was David the Dendrite?
patron saint of Thessaloniki
When was David the Dendrite born?
David the Dendrite was born in 450 in Mesopotamia.
When did David the Dendrite die?
David the Dendrite died in 535 in Thessaloniki.
What was David the Dendrite's occupation?
David the Dendrite was a monk.
What nationality was David the Dendrite?
David the Dendrite was Byzantine.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: David the Dendrite
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David the Dendrite. https://biography.guide/david-the-dendrite/
MLA: "David the Dendrite." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-the-dendrite/.
Chicago: "David the Dendrite." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-the-dendrite/.
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