Saint Andrew

 


Here you can learn a little about Saint Andrew, and why he was adopted as the patron Saint of Scotland. We also have a collection of printables, worksheets and other resources that you can use with your kids to support what you learn.

Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland

Who was Saint Andrew?

Saint Andrew was one of the 12 original disciples, or apostles, of Jesus. He was also the brother of another disciple, Simon Peter (Saint Peter). Andrew and Simon Peter were fishermen in Gallilee. According to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus was walking along the shore of the sea of Galilee when he saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. He called them to follow him, saying that he would make them "fishers of men".

We don't know very much about his life, but we do know that after Jesus died, Andrew travelled around the Black Sea and Greece preaching about Christ. Unfortunately the governor in Greece still believed in the Roman gods and asked him to stop. When Andrew refused, he was sentenced to death and crucified on a cross in the shape of the letter X.

The Legends of Saint Andrew

According to legend, relics of Saint Andrew were brought to Scotland to where the town of St Andrews stands today. Some people think that the relics were brought to Kinrymont in Fife, from Patras in Greece, by Saint Regulus in the fourth century. Some accounts say he was told by an angel to stop intentionally on the shores of Fife, and others say he was shipwrecked off the coast.

Another legend tells the story of a mighty battle between the Picts and the Scots, led by Oengus II (King Angus), on one side and the Angles on the other. Oengus was heavily outnumbered and, while praying the night before the battle, vowed that he would make Saint Andrew patron saint of Scotland if he won the battle. The next morning a distinctive white cross of clouds appeared in the sky. Oengus and his men said it looked just like the one on which Saint Andrew was crucified, and was a sign that they would be successful. And they won a mighty victory! The white cross against the blue sky was adopted as the flag of Scotland.

Patron Saint of Scotland and Other Countries

It wasn't until 1320 that Saint Andrew officially became patron saint of Scotland, and it wasn't until the 18th century that Scots really began celebrating St Andrew's Day.

Saint Andrew is not only the patron saint of Scotland. He is also patron saint of Barbados, Romania, Russia and Ukraine.

Our Saint Andrew Resources

A Letter To Saint Andrew Worksheet

A Letter To Saint Andrew Worksheet

Scotland has changed a lot since the time of Saint Andrew. Can the children write a letter to Saint Andrew telling him all about modern Scotland? What do they think would make him proud about the country?

Learn to Draw Saint Andrew

Learn to Draw Saint Andrew

Learn to draw Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, with this fun step by step drawing tutorial for kids.

Saint Andrew Interview Worksheet

Saint Andrew Interview Worksheet

This interview worksheet helps the children practise writing open questions and asks them to imagine they are a talk show host interviewing Saint Andrew.

Saint Andrew Newspaper Writing Prompt

Saint Andrew Newspaper Writing Prompt

Use this Saint Andrew Newspaper Writing Prompt to write about his story as if you are a newspaper reporter - you might need to do a little research first...

Saint Andrew Poster

Saint Andrew Poster

Print this fun poster of Saint Andrew to display, or perhaps as the front page of a project.

Saint Andrew Story Paper

Saint Andrew Story Paper

Choose from normal lines or handwriting lines for our Saint Andrew story paper. Write a llittle about the patron saint, then colour in the picture.

Saint Andrew Word Search

Saint Andrew Word Search

We've hidden 12 words associated with Saint Andrew in the word search grid. Can you find them all? Solution available below too.

Saint Andrew Word Tracing

Saint Andrew Word Tracing

Here's a useful word tracing worksheet for St Andrew's Day, featuring a picture of Saint Andrew himself to colour in...

Saint Andrew Worksheet

Saint Andrew Worksheet

Find out a little about Saint Andrew by doing the research for this fun little worksheet.

Saint Andrew Writing Page

Saint Andrew Writing Page

Use our Saint Andrew writing page to recount what you have learned about the patron saint, or perhaps to make up a story.

St Andrew's Day Cloze

St Andrew's Day Cloze

Learn about St Andrew's Day by reading the text on this St Andrew's Day cloze worksheet and filling in the missing words from the word bank.

Explore Activity Village

Become a Member to access 39,201 printables!