Patron Saint of Scotland
Saint Andrew was one of the first called of the apostles (Jn.1.40; Matt.4.28). He was the brother, probably the younger brother, of Saint Peter, both sons of Jonas a fisherman of Bethsaida. He became a disciple of Saint John the Baptist. On hearing John naming Jesus ‘the lamb of God’ along with another disciple he became an apostle of Christ. At his suggestion his brother Simon Peter also became an apostle. In all the Gospel lists of apostles his name is among the first four; he is specially mentioned for his part in the feeding of the five thousand and on the occasion when some Greeks wished to meet Jesus (Jn, 12.20-2). This could indicate that he was Greek speaking. Certainly Bethsaida his home where the miracle took place was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in the northern most Hellenised part of the country.
It is not certain where he preached the Gospel, where he died or where he was buried although there are numerous legends. The most ancient of these links him with Greece, and others claim that he travelled in Cappadocia, Galatia, and Bithynia and the foundation of the Church of Constantinople was attributed to him. It is generally thought that Saint Andrew was put to death by crucifixion on a saltire cross (X), commonly called ‘St Andrew’s Cross’, which represents Scotland on the Union Jack. His association with Scotland is a legend concerning an eighth century Scottish saint called Regulus who obtained some the of relics of Saint Andrew and founded a church in a place in Fife which is now called St. Andrews.
Christopher Jobson
Feature Image: “Rubens_apostel_andreas_grt”, P.D.