Nov 30th

[MacBean]

Lovely pictures and discussion, thank you! I'll have to mention it to my son as he is born on St.Columba's day.

[MacRobert's Reply]

Originally Posted by MacBean
I have to ask - why Saint Andrew and not, say, Saint Columba (Colum Chille)?

St. Columba was indeed Scotland's patron saint until St Andrew was adopted in the tenth Century. According to one legend St Andrew was adopted in the ninth Century. See http://www.st-andrew.org.uk/flagtrust.htm

St Columba's status as a patron saint was undermined as Celtic Christians became increasingly conformed to the practices and values of the Roman Church after the Synod of Whitby in the seventh Century and the influence of Queen/Saint Margaret of Scotland in the tenth century. Andrew, as a New Testament saint, was by this time perceived as having greater status than Columba who was seen as the missionary hero of a provincial and somewhat unorthodox branch of the Church.

It is noteworthy, however, that Scotland's identification with with St Andrew came about as a result of its longstanding Christian links with Constantinople rather than Rome.

BTW I was at a St Andrew's day dinner and ceilidh in East Lothian last weekend where the Provost reiterated the legend of the Saltire.

[MacBean]

I've walked some of Colm Cille's haunts (springs, crosses, etc.) in Ireland, and many of them are in such splendidly vibrant scenery, that I feel spiritually elevated just remembering them months afterwards. I'm not Irish, but warmed to the man as saint. Thanks for the bit of history, makes sense, and exactly what I was wondering.