Most people don’t know that Saint Andrew, one of the Twelve Apostles, occupies a significant place in Scottish history –not only as a religious figure, but also as a symbol of national identity. Very much like James in Spain, Andrew’s association with Scotland goes back centuries, and his relics play a central role in the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Today, St. Andrew’s relics are kept at the National Shrine of Saint Andrew, in St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, in Edinburgh. But how did the relics of this humble Middle Eastern fisherman from Late Antiquity come to rest in Scotland?
The life and death of St. Andrew
According to the Gospels, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the first disciples called by Jesus of Nazareth as he walked along the Sea of Galilee. His story, as told in the Gospels, begins when he encounters Jesus through John the Baptist and later brings his brother Simon to meet the Messiah.
As one of his closest followers, Andrew played a pivotal role in key moments of Jesus’ ministry, including the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Resurrection.
After Pentecost, Andrew traveled to spread Christianity, reaching as far as Greece and Asia Minor –but never as far as Scotland. He was eventually martyred in Patras, Greece, around 60 AD and crucified on an X-shaped cross –as found in the Scottish flag, the Saltire. His feast day is celebrated on November 30, the day of his martyrdom.
The journey of Andrew’s relics
After his death, Andrew’s remains were buried in Patras until Emperor Constantine moved them to Constantinople in 357 AD. Soon enough, Andrew’s relics became venerated throughout the Christian world, and by the Early Middle Ages, devotion to him was widespread.
In 1204, during the Fourth Crusade, many relics were taken from Constantinople to Western Europe. To protect St. Andrew’s remains, a cardinal moved some of them to Amalfi, Italy, where they remain today.
Now, the legend of St. Andrew’s connection to Scotland is believed to have originated in the 8th century. It is said that some of his relics were taken to Scotland by Bishop Acca of Hexham, who sought asylum with the Pictish king Oengus in Fife. These relics were housed at Kilrymont, later renamed St. Andrews, which became a major pilgrimage site.
Rebirth of the National Shrine
The relics kept on bringing pilgrims to the site, until the shrine housing them was destroyed during the Scottish Reformation in 1559. What might have happened with those relics is still the matter of much discussion. One thing, though, is certain: after the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in 1878, St. Andrews was reaffirmed as the metropolitan see of Scotland.
Two important relics of St. Andrew were donated to the country: one from Amalfi in 1879 and another from Pope Paul VI in 1969. These relics are now housed in the National Shrine of Saint Andrew in Edinburgh, where they serve as a symbol of Scotland’s enduring spiritual heritage.
