Friday, November 30, 2018

St. Andrews Day – November 30, 2018







Today is a bank holiday in Scotland.  I have Scottish and Scots-Irish ancestors and am always interested in learning new things about this part of the world.  There are several instances of the name Andrew in my family, beginning with my father and brother who carry it as their middle name. My father’s father was Andrew McClary Steele, who’s paternal grandmother was a McClary.  This family has several Revolutionary war participants and in particular, Major Andrew McClary who died at the battle of Bunker Hill.  His father and namesake came to North America in 1726 from Northern Ireland.

I found it interesting that St. Andrew is also patron saint in Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Italy's Amalfi, Cyprus, Romania, San Andres Island in Columbia, Barbados and Tenerife. Here is a little backround on this holiday From The London Evening Standard: 

“Who was St Andrew and why is he the patron saint of Scotland?
St Andrew was born in the biblical village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee in between the years 5AD and 10AD.

He was one of Jesus' 12 disciples and was as a fishermen in Galilee. Andrew was a Christian preacher and is thought to have travelled to Greece on a Christian mission. However, when there, he is believed to have been killed by crucifixion, on a diagonal cross-shaped crucifix at Patras.

His links to Scotland are unclear, but one particularly well-known story centres on St Andrew’s role in battle between the Scots and Picts, and the Angles in the 9th century.

According to legend, St Andrew appeared to the Pictish King Óengus mac Fergusa (Óengus II) in a dream and told him his army would be victorious. On the day of the battle, the symbol of a saltire - reminiscent of the diagonal cross St Andrew was crucified on - appeared in the sky and Óengus II and his army were triumphant.

Scotland’s flag was chosen in honour of that moment, and it is also how the ancient town of St Andrew’s got its name.

When is St Andrew's Day?

St Andrew’s Day is celebrated on November 30.

The tradition of celebrating it on this day was conceived by 18th century ex patriots in the United States, who were keen to reconnect with their Scottish roots.

How is St Andrew's Day celebrated?

Different regions of Scotland have their own traditions and events to commemorate the day.

East Lothian hosts the annual Saltire Festival with a 10K night run, golfing tournament, crafting workshops and traditional music performances.

Elsewhere, you can find a stunning torchlight procession through the Glasgow’s West End.”

Sources of this information:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Andrew%27s_Day

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