David the Dendrite (c. 450–540), also known as David the tree-dweller and David of Thessalonika, is a patron 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). See also Church of Hosios David Notes References Further reading Velimirovic, Nicholas. The Prologue from Ochrid, vol. 2. Birmingham: Lazarica Press, 1986 External links God's Foolishness, a discussion of holy fools, including David the Dendrite 540 deaths 6th-century Christian saints Byzantine Thessalonians Saints of medieval Macedonia Saints of medieval Greece Greek hermits Greek Christian monks Year of birth unknown Year of birth uncertain