St. Andrew, also known as Andrew the Apostle to Jesus, is the patron saint of Scotland and has officially been so since 1320 AD. It was that year that Scotland declared independence, mainly from the English, by the Declaration of Arbroath. The declaration was a letter to Pope John XXII, asserting independence. The First War of Scottish Independence, begun by England’s invasion of Scotland in 1296, lasted until 1328. Scotland successfully booted England out but failed in its own invasion of Ireland. The flag of Scotland, a white, ‘X-shaped’ cross over a blue field, represents the cross of Saint Andrew. The olden town of St. Andrews is named for him, and some legends claim his remains are buried there. Andrew was also rumored to have built a church in Fife, Scotland, which is now St. Andrews. St. Andrews Day is celebrated on November 30th of each year, the date of Andrew’s death in 60 AD. St. Andrew is also the patron saint of Greece, Russia, and Barbados, as well as the patron saint of singers, spinsters, maidens, fishmongers, fishermen, women wanting to have children, gout and sore throats.