St. Andrew's Cross

St. Andrew's Cross

St. Andrew's Cross

[Also referred to as The Saltire].

The Legend ... As told to me by my Grandpa Birrell.

Maggie, the year is 832 AD ... and an army of Pictish soldiers under their leader Angus mac Fergus High King of Alba, assisted by a detachment of Scots, led by Eochaidh, King of Dalriada [Grand-father of Kenneth mac Alpin] found themselves surrounded by a much larger force of Angles led by Athelstan, a warrior from Northumbria.

A short time before going into battle, King Angus prayed to God, asking that he might lead his small army of soldiers to victory. That day his prayers were answered. There in the sky could be seen a cloud formation of a white cross against the blue sky, the very cross-shape on which Andrew died.

You see the king had made a promise that if victory was granted to him that day, through the help of Andrew, then his name would for ever after be adopted as the patron saint. That day the Pics and Scots won the battle and the Cross of St. Andrew became the flag of Scotland.

The Story behind the Legend ... Andrew, the first disciple of Christ, and like his brother St. Peter was a fisherman in the Sea of Galilee. Andrew the Apostle was crucified on an X-shaped cross with his body upside down, so he could neither see the earth or his executioners, only the sky of blue which he had glorified as the kingdom of heaven.

The preaching of Andrew the Apostle had become known in all parts of the world, and part of his remains were taken to Scotland, and eventually he was chosen as the Protector of the Scottish people.