The brother of Saint Peter, Andrew, whose feast day is marked on November 30th, is
regarded as the first of the twelve apostles. Both Catholic and Orthodox Churches
recognise St. Andrew’s feast day on this date, the traditional day of his martyrdom
in Patras, Greece. Saint Andrew is also the patron saint of Scotland and some of his
relics reside in the capital, Edinburgh. But how did the saint come to be associated
with Scotland and how much do we know about his life and the history of his relics?
Susy Hodges spoke to the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith
Patrick O’Brien. His archdiocese includes not just Edinburgh but also the nearby city
of St Andrews named after the saint.
Cardinal O'Brien says St. Andrew was noted
"for his immediate response to Jesus' call" and how he brought his brother along as
well and says the saint is distinguished for his fidelity to Christ. He also talks
about how Pope Paul VI gave the late Scottish Cardinal Gray a body relic of Scotland's
patron saint with the words: "Peter greets his brother Andrew."
Listen to Susy
Hodges' full interview with Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews
and Edinburgh: