St. Andrew’s Day is a national holiday in Scotland that is celebrated with feasts on November 30. It is also Scotland’s national day, marking the beginning of Scotland as a nation. Variations of the holiday are also celebrated in Romania, Germany, Austria, Poland, and Russia.
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Who Was Saint Andrew?
Saint Andrew appears in the New Testament as an Apostle and disciple of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Andrew started as a fisher by trade, along with his brother Peter. Peter and Andrew were fishing in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called out to them, saying “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Both Peter and John left their boats to follow Christ and become two of his Twelve Apostles.
In another account, Andrew is listed as a disciple of John the Baptist. Upon meeting Christ, he immediately recognizes him as the Messiah and introduces his brother Peter to Christ, saying “We have found the Messias” (John 1:41).
In some Christian denominations, Andrew is now
the patron saint, or heavenly advocate, of Cyprus, Scotland, Greece, Romania,
Russia, Ukraine, and more. He is hailed as the “First-Called,” as he was the
first Apostle named.
Why Does Scotland Celebrate St. Andrew’s Day?
According to legend, Óengus II, king of Picts
and Scots, led an army against the Angles, a Germanic people that invaded
Britain. The Scots were heavily outnumbered, and Óengus prayed the night before
battle, vowing to name St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland if they won.
On the day of the battle, white clouds formed an
X in the sky. The clouds were thought to represent the X-shaped cross where St.
Andrew was crucified. The troops were inspired by the apparent divine
intervention, and they came out victorious despite overwhelming odds.
True to his word, as the legend goes, Óengus
named St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland, and St. Andrew’s Day marked
Scotland’s victory and new nationhood. Scotland’s flag, a white cross over a
blue background, is also likely the result of this legend and has been named
St. Andrew’s Cross.
St. Andrew’s Day Celebrations
Scots and others celebrate traditional Scottish
culture on St. Andrew’s Day with Scottish food, music, recitations, dancing,
and more. The day isn’t as widely celebrated in Scotland as some other
holidays, such as St. Patrick’s Day, but it is a grand celebration nonetheless.
Some towns, such as St. Andrews, even throw weeklong celebrations.
St. Andrew’s Day also marks the beginning of
winter festivals such as Hogmanay and Burns
Night.
St. Andrew’s Day Food
St. Andrew’s Day is all about celebrating Scottish culture, and food is a big part of that celebration. Traditional dishes served might include cullen skink, haggis, lamb, neeps and tatties, and more.
Cullen skink is a creamy fish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. Lamb can be served in a variety of forms, such as meatballs or soup. Haggis, a traditional food in Scotland, is a savory pudding steamed in a casing and made from sheep’s lung, onion, oatmeal, and other ingredients. Neeps and tatties are yellow turnips and potatoes that have been boiled and mashed.
St. Andrew’s Day Music
Ceilidh (pronounced “kay-lee”), coming from the Gaelic word meaning “to party” or “to visit,” is a traditional Scottish country dance that’s all about fun. These events, often held on St. Andrews Day, involve Scottish folk music mixed with modern pop music, dancing, and storytelling. As an added touch of flair, people often wear the traditional iconic kilt. Who would miss this lively event?
Have you celebrated St. Andrew’s Day? Let us know in the comments below how you have celebrated this holiday, or record your stories in FamilySearch Memories to share with the rest of your family.
Source: Family Search
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