St. Andrew’s Day 2022: Who is Saint Andrew, and why do the Scottish celebrate him?

Famously known as ‘The Feast of Saint Andrew’ or ‘Andermas’. In Scotland, it is celebrated as St. Andrew’s Day, a national holiday that celebrates the disciple of the New Testament within Christianity. The day is quite similar to St Patrick’s Day in Ireland and St David’s Day in Wales. The festival brings families together in Scotland. It celebrates the Scottish culture through a variety of events. The day holds great relevance even though Google recognised the festival through their special Scottish Google Doodle.

When is St. Andrew’s Day 2022?

The festival of St Andrew’s Day is celebrated on November 30. This year 2022, it will be observed on Wednesday. The celebrations include honoring its patron saint, Andrew the Apostle. Saltire flag is flown from every Scottish government building.

Who is Saint Andrew?

As per Christian traditions, Saint Andrew is one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. It is an annual celebration that celebrates his work and legacy. The Bible showed the world that it was Andrew who introduced Peter. His brother as per ancient tradition is considered the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, to Jesus. Although Andrew’s fate meets a tragic end when Romans decreed his beliefs and he was crucified. But the apostle believed he wasn’t worthy to die just like Jesus. 

How do we celebrate St. Andrew’s Day?

In Scotland, St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated with ceilidhs (traditional music and dance), traditional foods such as neeps, haggis, tattie, and parades are also organized. According to local news and websites, a band with hundreds of pipe and fire dancers take over the streets through the city’s West End for the annual St Andrew’s Day Torchlight Parade. The festival is also observed in other countries that have had ties with Scottish culture in the past. Like Barbados who celebrates its Independence along with St Andrew’s Day.