Today is the Day of St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland since the 10th Century – legend tells that his remains were sent out to sea in the 8th Century and by chance cast up on the coast of Scotland and buried there. So his national flag, the Saltire, will be flying over the British Embassy in Addis Ababa throughout the day.
St Andrew is also the Patron Saint of Barbados, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Patras in Greece, Amalfi in Italy, Luqa in Malta and Esguera in Portugal. Aside from the flag of Scotland (and the Union Flag of the UK) his arms feature on the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, Tenerife, Galicia and the Russian Naval Flag, as well as those of Florida and Alabama. And I see images of St Andrew in many churches in Ethiopia. He is a very well-known Saint, representing the valuable qualities of strength and curiosity.
We will be celebrating this weekend with a Ceilidh (Scottish dance); traditional food (the haggis – a sheep’s belly stuffed with meat. offal and grain, which tastes better than it sounds); and a version of the Highland Games. Many Scots and friends of Scotland throughout the world will be doing likewise.