30/11/2023
Happy Saint Andrew's Day!
Andrew lived in the first Century and was a fisherman before he became one of Jesus’ disciples. He became renowned for his Christian preaching. He too, like Jesus, was crucified, and this is represented by the cross on his flag. The town of St Andrews in Scotland, legend has it, is where the relics of St Andrew were brought by divine guidance from Constantinople. A Greek monk had a vision in which he was told to take the relics to the ends of the earth for safekeeping. His journey took him to the shores of Fife, where St Andrews now stands.
He became Patron Saint of Scotland in the middle of the 10th Century when Oengus II, King of the Picts led an army of Picts and Scots against the English near Athelstaneford in East Lothian. Oengus declared that if he won the battle then he would appoint Saint Andrew as Patron Saint of Scotland. The story goes that on the morning of the battle, the clouds are said to have formed a white cross across the blue sky and against all odds the battle was won and the design of the Saltire flag was born.
As a dedicated follower of Jesus, Andrew preached about Christ around the Black Sea and through Greece. It was in Greece that he was told to stop spreading the teachings by the governor Aegeas as he still believed in the Roman gods. When he refused, Andrew was sentenced to death by crucifixion in the city of Patras. Believing himself to be unworthy of the same fate as Jesus, Andrew requested an x-shaped cross. This is represented by the saltires which feature prominently on flags, such as Scotland’s, that acknowledge St Andrew.
St Andrew was pivotal in shaping Scottish society, and the societies of many other countries across the globe. He was known for his generosity and kindness, which is believed to be reflected in the warm and generous nature of Scotland and its people in the current day, which is why he celebrated and remembered so fondly.
St Andrews Day is celebrated on the 30th November every year and in Scotland since 2007 the Scottish parliament granted Scotland a bank holiday to celebrate. However, the first Saint Andrew's Day celebrations actually didn't take place in Scotland, but instead took place in the United States after a group of wealthy Scottish immigrants living in Charleston, South Carolina, decided to get together and celebrate their Scottish root and promote Saint Andrew’s philanthropic ideals, becoming famous in the area for their protection of widows and orphans, and so the St. Andrew's Society of Charleston was established in 1729 (the first St. Andrew's Society in North America). Similar Scottish societies were soon established across the United States and still remain today.
St Andrews Tartan
Scotland soon took inspiration from their American counterparts and began celebrating their Saint with ceilidh dancing and eating Scottish foods. There are many events held throughout Scotland. In East Lothian, the Saltire Festival, celebrates the saint and includes historical events, music, food and drink. While in Glasgow a torchlight procession is held with all funds raised going to charity to commemorate the generosity of the patron saint. The Oban Winter festival is held in the North of Scotland and includes whisky tastings, comedy ceilidh dancing, ice rinks and a Reindeer Parade.
It is not only Scotland and America who celebrate, held in Romania, Russia, Germany, Austria and Poland, all with people paying homage to their Scottish heritage or simply honouring the great saint. With our new base in Albany, NY we were delighted to make the acquaintance of Willard Bruce, Librarian and Historian of the St Andrew's Society of the City of Albany and you can read all about the history of their society dating back to 1803 in a separate blog.
What do you eat and drink on St Andrews Day?
Although there is no specific traditional St Andrews Day food, many will enjoy rich cultural feasts, where some of Scotland’s most classic fare is being prepared and shared. Some tasty Scottish foods that you could add to your St Andrews Day menu are Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, Cullen Skink, Arbroath Smokies, Salmon, Scotch Broth or Cock-a-leekie soup followed by a classic Cranachan.
Scotland is synonymous with whisky, which makes the perfect pairing for so many of the comforting dishes enjoyed on St Andrew’s Day.
