Have got Mac1 and Cuzzy S over from Edinburgh for a couple of days - so not much to put here today. Maybe just a little bit about Saint Andrew; he being the patron saint of this Bonny Land and this being his feast day. The following is courtesy of Historic UK.
St Andrew's philosophy was simple: share what you have with those less fortunate and be kind to each other.
Andrew’s home was Copernicum, and like his brother Simon Peter, he was a fisherman. He, along with Peter, James and John formed the inner circle of Jesus’ 12 apostles. Andrew was however a disciple of St. John the Baptist prior to becoming a follower of Christ.
Not a great deal is known about his early life other than he is mentioned in the Bible as taking part in the ‘Feeding of the Five Thousand’. It is not absolutely certain where he preached the Gospel, or where he is buried, but Patras in Achia claims to be the place where he was martyred and crucified on a cross. Whilst it is not certain where Andrew actually preached – Scythia, Thrace and Asia Minor have all been mentioned – it appears he traveled great distances in order to spread the word, and it may be this which links him with Scotland.
Two versions of events claim this link.
One legend builds upon Andrew’s extensive travels, claiming that he actually came to Scotland and built a church in Fife. This town is now called St Andrews, and the church became a centre for evangelism, and pilgrims came from all over Britain to pray there.
Another ancient legend recalls how it was after the death of Andrew, sometime in the 4th century, that several of his relics where brought to Fife by Rule, a native of Patras.
Whichever legend is closer to the truth we are unlikely to ever unravel, however it is these links that explain why Andrew is now the Patron Saint of Scotland. St. Andrew has also been remembered down through the ages for the way he met his terrible death in A.D. 60. It is said that he believed himself unworthy to be crucified on a cross like that of Christ, and so he met his end on a ‘saltire’, or X-shaped cross (St Andrew’s cross) which became his symbol. His cross, in white on a blue background, remains the proud symbol of Scotland today and forms a central component of the Flag of the Union of Great Britain.
St Andrew's philosophy was simple: share what you have with those less fortunate and be kind to each other.
Sounds like a pretty good philosophy to me.
ReplyDeleteI confess I never knew that story about the origin of the Saltire.
ReplyDeleteThanks for filling a shameful gap in my education!
Cheers, Gail.
I must confess with Gail. What a very interesting post...thank you.
ReplyDeleteHugs HiC
PS enjoy Mac1 and Cousin S
Mom really enjoyed this post. Lots of interesting bits and pieces, especially the part about his cross. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
No matter what gaps remain it is a good philosophy!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
A thoughtful philosophy! Enjoy your friends.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! And I like to believe that St Andrew did make it to Scotland!
ReplyDeletePurrs
Marv
love it... and if we share something, we get something back... a smile or a helping hand...
ReplyDeleteHello, I like St Andrews philosophy! Great quote! Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteGood philosphy. If only everybody (including me) would be good at doing it.
ReplyDeletePS: loved your menocuties in the last post.
Wish our politicians would live by St. Andrew's philosophy. namaste janice xx
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting. I felt uncomfortable, all these spoiled tourists, with people serving us. I know they are earning a living, but they were, for the most part, affable, in their awful stereotypical uniforms, like the maids. Dunno. Happy St. Andrew's day! we took a drive today.
ReplyDelete