Who Was St. Andrew?
St. Andrew, also known as Saint Andrew the Apostle, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is often depicted as an old man with a long beard, holding a cross. According to Christian tradition, Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, and the two of them were fishermen in Galilee before being called by Jesus to become his disciples. Andrew is revered for spreading Christianity across Europe, particularly in Greece and Asia Minor, where he was martyred by crucifixion.
The Origin of St. Andrew’s Connection to Scotland
St. Andrew’s association with Scotland can be traced back to the 9th century. The earliest known mention of St. Andrew’s Day in Scotland dates to the reign of King Malcolm III (also known as Malcolm Canmore). According to legend, the king’s army saw a vision of St. Andrew's saltire (a white diagonal cross) in the sky just before a crucial battle in 832 AD, which led them to victory. As a result, St. Andrew was declared the patron saint of Scotland, and his feast day was adopted as a national celebration.
The Saltire: Scotland’s National Flag
The flag of Scotland, known as the Saltire, features a white cross of St. Andrew on a blue background. This flag is one of the oldest national flags in the world, with its design dating back to at least the 12th century. The Saltire symbolizes both the Christian faith and the historical significance of St. Andrew as a protector and symbol of Scotland. shutdown123