Today is a holiday in Scotland. It’s also my late Nan’s birthday.
The history of St Andrew is complicated by various layers of stories, especially the biblical one, but N.C. postulates that St Andrew, the First Called, is actually a reflection of Andronicus I Comnenus (the name comes from Andros – Greek for man) and Jesus Christ. Both of whom were crucified.
He is also the patron saint of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Malta amongst others. He is venerated in the Crimea too.
The Scottish flag is probably the most famous of all saltires or Cross of St.Andrew and it is so easy to see how this man could have travelled to the far north of the British Isles, especially when he was closely tied to the Varangian (the Nordic Guards of the Byzantine Royal family.)
Anyway – Happy Holidays Scotland :o)