Fast facts about Saint Andrew and the St Andrews Cross
Facts and information about the apostle Saint Andrew and the St Andrews Cross.
- St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland
- St Andrew is celebrated on 30 November
- St Andrew's Day is a day to celebrate Scottish culture, food and dance
- St Andrew's flag is the flag of Scotland
- The flag is in the form of a white X on a blue background and is commonly known as The Saltire
- St Andrew's Societies celebrate Scottish culture around the world
- St Andrew's Day is a bank holiday in Scotland but entitlement to leave depends on the employer
- St Andrew is also the patron saint of Romania, Greece and Russia
- Scotland is one of the few countries to have one of Christs disciples as their patron saint
- St Andrew was one of the Twelve Apostles (disciples of Jesus) and brother of St Peter
- St Andrew is believed to have died on a diagonally transversed cross which the Romans sometimes used for executions and which, therefore, came to be called St Andrews Cross
- St Andrew's Day is connected with Advent, which begins on the first Sunday after November 26
- St Andrew's Day marks the beginning of Scotlands winter festivals.