Tags: Saint.
David the Dendrite (? – 540) also known as David the tree-dweller and David of Thessalonika is a patron saint of Thessaloniki and a renowned holy fool. Originally from Mesopotamia David became a monk at the Monastery of Saints Merkourios and Theodore outside Thessaloniki. Famed for his sound advice crowds would hound him for 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.