St Andrew’s Day 2021
Happy St Andrew’s Day!
Our Advent Calendar proper will start tomorrow, on the first of December, but I thought we could begin with a taster today. Each day until Christmas I will send out an Advent Calendar message related to themes of the season of Advent, and of the stories associated with Christmas, of Mary and her child, angels and shepherds, of magi and offerings. When thinking of a theme, it struck me that most people have spent a lot of time at home this year (and last year), rarely travelling further than the distance of a walk or bike ride. And so the theme of this year’s Advent Calendar is St Andrews itself. There will be images from the town, poetry from St Andrews writers, music from composers and musicians from here, and art whose home is the University Library. Since St Andreans could barely leave the town, why not see how Advent and Christmas can be found right here? If you have ideas that would fit this theme, please let me know.
And so to our taster, one of the stained glass windows in St Salvator’s Chapel.
This depicts Andrew alongside St Leonard who is crouching with his wrists bound by chains, and a figure in green, possibly St John. Andrew is holding the X-shaped cross on which it is believed he was put to death in around 60 AD in Patras, modern-day Greece. His somewhat chiselled appearance is the work of Gordon Webster (1908-1987), and is part of his central design at the east of the chapel, showing the crucified (and glorious) Christ, a memorial window put in following the Second World War.
And here is a poem about St Andrew, the fisherman disciple, by Robert Crawford, Emeritus Professor of English at the University, poet, biographer, editor, broadcaster and more.
Catch
After day
After day
Walking
By the lochside,
Watching
Two men
Trying
To cast their net,
He said,
‘Forget that.
Here’s the way
People
Catch
People.’
Matthew. 4: 18-19
There will be two graduation ceremonies today at the Sports Hall, preceded by a Service of Thanksgiving at St Salvator’s Chapel at which you can see Webster’s striking image. The service begins at 9 am, and our preacher, Professor Margaret Connolly, will be reflecting in her sermon on medieval pilgrimage around the veneration of saints such as St Andrew. All are welcome in person, and to watch the livestream at the time or later, which can be accessed here: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/chaplaincy/worship/. Click on Livestreamed Services, then View Livestream, then choose the service.
If you are graduating today, congratulations! I will see you soon!
Yours,
Donald.
Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
Chaplain