Ten Key Facts this St. Andrew's Day
1. Celebrated on the 30th November, St. Andrew's Day is the official national day of Scotland. It is the Feast Day of the patron saint and now regarded as a bank holiday.
2. Andrew was not actually Scottish. He was born in Israel and lived in the 1st century CE.
3. He was one of Jesus's Apostles and brother of St. Peter.
4. Not only is St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland, but also Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Russia and a number of other countries too!
5. This is because there are a number of different traditions and legends that follow his life; he preached a long way along the Black Sea. His relics are said to reside in a number of locations in different countries, including Edinburgh in Scotland.
6. St. Andrew was eventually martyred by crucifixion on an 'X'-shaped cross. This is represented in white on the Scottish flag.
7. He was a fisherman by trade.
8. His patronage includes fishermen and fish mongers, singers, spinsters, maidens, pregnant women and textile workers.
9. In Scotland and countries with Scottish connections, St. Andrew's Day is celebrated with appropriate cultural traditions such as dance, music and food. Cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh really go all out with their celebrations.
10. The day is also seen as the marking the start of the Christmas festivities. Hogmanay and Burns' night are incorporated into the ensuing celebrations.
