St. Andrew

St. Andrew was a Christian apostle and the brother to Saint Peter who lived during the early through mid first century A.D.  He was considered to be the founder of the Church of Byzantium an thus the patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Bible tells us that he was the brother of the apostle Simon Peter and was also a fisherman by trade.  Originally, he was a disciple of St. John the Baptist, which eventually led him to become a follower of Christ, who he immediately recognized as the Messiah.  After the death and Resurrection of Christ, Andrew went on to bring the word to Asia Minor, Scythia and as far at Volga and Kiev.  This act made him the Patron Saint of Russia and the Ukraine.

It is believed that in 38 AD, Andrew founded the See (Diocese)of Byzantium in Constantinople and installed the first Bishop.  Andrew was martyred and crucified in the Peloponnese city of Patras.  It is believed that he was bound to an "X" shaped cross called a Crux Decussata, now commonly known as the St. Andrew's Cross.  This was done by his request because he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Christ.

At some point in the mid 10th century A.D., St. Andrew became the Patron Saint of Scotland.  Legend has it that several Relics of his were secretly brought to Scotland to a place where the modern town of St. Andrew is today.  Legend has it that on an eve of battle, Angus II, while engaged in prayer, vowed that if he was granted victory, he would appoint St. Andrew to be the Patron Saint of Scotland.  "On the morning of battle white clouds forming an X shape in the sky were said to have appeared. Óengus and his combined force, emboldened by this apparent divine intervention, took to the field and despite being inferior in terms of numbers were victorious. Having interpreted the cloud phenomenon as representing the crux decussata upon which Saint Andrew was crucified, Óengus honoured his pre-battle pledge and duly appointed Saint Andrew as the Patron Saint of Scotland. The white saltire set against a celestial blue background is said to have been adopted as the design of the flag of Scotland on the basis of this legend." (Lawson, John Parker, History of the Abbey and Palace of Holyrood house published 1848 p. 169)


This is the popular legend, but history indicates that there may be earlier references to St. Andrew as the Patron of Scotland before this.  The Feast of St. Andrew is the 30th of November in both the Eastern and Western Churches.

Now what does St. Andrew have to do with Masons......more to come later my Brothers!