Today is the Feast of St. Andrew. Andrew was one of the first Apostles -- along with his brother Peter -- called by Jesus. He is the Patron Saint of Scotland. Tradition holds that he was one of the more widely-traveled of the Apostles. His evangelistic ministry took him to Greece, where in c. 60 A.D. he was martyred in Patras. He asked to be crucified on an X-shaped cross (known as the St. Andrew’s Cross or Saltire) rather than a traditional cross, as he did not feel worthy to die on the same cross as Jesus.
St. Andrew did not visit Scotland, but several legends associate him with that country. One such tradition says that St. Regulus brought the relics of Andrew with him when he was shipwrecked on the Scottish shore. This day is celebrated throughout the church, with great fanfare in some areas.
St. Andrew's Day is the very last day of the liturgical year. Tomorrow is the first day of Advent, and a new cycle begins.
