Saint Andrew's Cross Chrismon Pattern

Saint Andrew elected to be crucified on a Saltire, because he deemed himself unworthy of Christ's cross. Cut this simple shape from wood or Styrofoam, then decorate it with gold or white paint and sequins for the Chrismon tree.

Left, a simple example of St. Andrew's cross. Center, The crucifixion of Saint Andrew.
 Right, Statue of Andrew in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran by Camillo Rusconi.

     The Cross of martyrdom and emblem of humility. St. Andrew, condemned to be crucified, and deeming himself unworthy of dying on a Cross of the same form as that on which his Master had suffered, besought his executioners to make his Cross of another shape, and perished on the one now known by his name. In Heraldry, this Cross is called a Saltire. 

      It is the national Cross of Scotland, whose patron Saint is St. Andrew; and at the accession of James I., it was added to the Cross of St. George on the national flag, thus forming the original Union Jack -- so named from "Jacques" or James. It may be used on St. Andrew's Day.

A second example of St. Andrew's Cross.

Scripture References for Saint Andrew's Cross Chrismon:

• "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28 (NLT)
• But he said, "Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:13 (NLT)
• "In your streets flowed the blood of the prophets and of God's holy people and the blood of people slaughtered all over the world." Revelation 18:24 (NLT)