Saint Andrew’s Day 2024: How Feast of Saint Andrew Celebrated in Scotland and Other Countries?

Every year on November 30, Scotland celebrates St. Andrew’s Day, the country’s pride day. This day has religious and cultural significance as it is the official feast day of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. This is an opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s achievements on the international stage and pay tribute to its rich history, customs and heritage. St. Andrew’s Day is expected to be a lively event filled with festivities, cultural activities and a sense of patriotism.

What is the history of St. Andrew’s Day?

Long before St. Andrew’s Day was recognized as a public holiday, it had ancient origins. The life and legacy of Saint Andrew, the Christian apostle and brother of Saint Peter, became the foundation of Christian and cultural traditions throughout Europe after he was crucified on an X-shaped cross in the first century AD.

In 1320, St. Andrew was appointed patron saint of Scotland. Although St. Andrew’s Day has been celebrated in different ways over the centuries, it wasn’t until the 18th century that it became known as a national holiday in Scotland. As well as being a religious holiday, the day is an opportunity to commemorate Scottish culture, identity and global achievements.

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How does Scotland and other countries celebrate St. Andrew’s Day?

St. Andrew’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration in Scotland and other countries with links to Scottish heritage. In Scotland, the day kicks off the winter festival season, which includes New Year’s Eve and Burns Night, and is followed by a week of celebrations in places such as St. Andrews and other cities. The celebrations are centered on Scottish culture and feature traditional food, music and dance.

  • Barbados: St. Andrew’s Day coincides with Barbados’ Independence Day. St. Andrew is represented in national symbols such as the cross on the coat of arms and the former Order of Barbados, where the saint is commemorated with titles such as Knight or Dame of St. Andrew.
  • Romania: This day has pre-Christian roots, with traditions linked to the Roman Saturnalia and the Dacian New Year. Romanian customs include rituals for good luck, such as young women placing sweet basil under their pillows to predict marriage and lighting candles to foretell visions of their future husbands.
  • Serbia: St. Andrew’s Day marks the liberation of Belgrade from the Ottoman Empire in 1806. Later it was designated as National Restoration Day, celebrated during the Obrenovich dynasty.
  • Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Romania): The eve of St. Andrew’s Day is considered a time of magic and prophecy, especially related to marriage. In Poland, “Andrzejki” celebrations include rituals such as pouring hot wax into cold water to divine the future.
  • Portugal: At Cape Santo André, Saint Andrew is believed to protect the souls of fishermen and those who drown. Pilgrims visit the church on the eve of St. Andrew’s Day, and unmarried women perform marriage ceremonies.
  • Eton College: At Eton College in the UK, St. Andrew’s Day is one of the biggest festivals, celebrated along with Juneteenth.

St Andrew’s Day 2024 will be a day of joyful celebration in Scotland and around the world. Whether through sumptuous traditional cuisine or sharing Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, the day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the country’s patron saint while embracing its past, present and future. Across the globe, St. Andrew’s Day is a celebration of tradition, blending ancient traditions with modern cultural expressions.

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