St Andrew – Scotland’s Patron Saint with a Global Story

When we Scots think of St Andrew, we picture the familiar blue and white saltire flying proudly across Scotland. However, St Andrew’s story stretches far beyond our shores and his life, travels, and legacy connect countries and cultures right across the world.

From Fisherman to Follower

St Andrew began life a long way from Scotland, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, in what’s now Israel. A fisherman by trade, he and his brother Simon Peter (later St Peter) were among the very first people called to follow Jesus. Andrew became one of the twelve apostles, travelling widely after the resurrection to share the Gospel.

Tradition says he preached in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), Greece, and possibly as far as the Black Sea, Ukraine, and Russia. He was one of Christianity’s earliest global travellers.

The St Andrews Cross

Andrew was eventually martyred in Patras, Greece, around 60 AD. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross, saying he didn’t feel worthy to die on the same type of cross as Jesus. That diagonal shape, known as the saltire became his symbol, and centuries later it found its way onto our very own Scottish Saltire.

How He Reached Scotland

So how did a fisherman from Galilee become the patron saint of Scotland? There are a few stories. One says that in the 8th century, a monk called St Regulus (or St Rule) brought relics of St Andrew to the east coast of Fife, where the town of St Andrews now stands.

Another tale tells of King Óengus II in the 9th century, who saw a vision of St Andrew’s cross in the sky before a battle. After winning, he declared Andrew Scotland’s patron saint – and the saltire became our national symbol.

By the 10th century, Andrew’s place in Scottish life was secure – and he remains at the heart of our national identity to this day.

A Saint of Many Nations

What’s especially interesting is that Scotland isn’t alone in claiming St Andrew. He’s also the patron saint of:

·         Greece, where he was martyred

·         Russia and Ukraine, said to be among the lands where he preached

·         Romania, where he’s honoured as the first to bring Christianity to the region

·         Barbados, whose flag even features the broken trident of St Andrew

He’s also the patron saint of fishermen, singers, and even people with sore throats – a wonderfully varied legacy for someone who spent much of his life near the sea!

Celebrating St Andrew’s Day

Here in Scotland, we celebrate St Andrew’s Day on 30 November – our national day – with music, dancing, food, and community gatherings. But wherever you are in the world, St Andrew’s story is a reminder of connection: a fisherman from Galilee whose faith and influence travelled across continents, linking Scotland to places as far-flung as Greece, Russia, and the Caribbean.

A true citizen of the world – and a saint whose story still crosses borders today.