Dates

Born: Early 1st Century
Reposed: 62 AD
Feast Day: November 30th

Locations

Born: Bethsaida, Galilee
Reposed: Patras, Greece

Interesting Facts

• The names Andrew means “manly” or “brave”

• St. Andrew established a church in a small town called Byzantium and placed St. Stachys (one of the 70 apostles) as bishop there. Byzantium eventually became the city of Constantinople. 

• In the city of Sinope, St. Andrew’s prayers delivered the apostle Matthew from prison, which so enraged the people that they beat the apostles. Later the people repented, and St. Andrew established churches and a bishop in that city

• It is said that St. Regulus brought a portion of the relics of St. Andrew to Scotland and founded a church called St. Andrews. St. Andrew has been patron saint of Scotland for almost 1,000 years. 

Life and Works

Andrew, like his brother, Simon Peter, was a fisherman. He became a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, but when John pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1.29,36) Saint Andrew understood that Jesus was greater. At once, he left Saint John to follow Christ. Jesus knew that Saint Andrew was walking behind him, and turning back, he asked, "What do you seek?" When Saint Andrew answered that he would like to know where Jesus lived, Our Lord replied, "Come and see." Saint Andrew had been only a little time with Jesus when he realized that this was truly the Messiah. From then on, he decided to follow Jesus. Saint Andrew was thus the first disciple of Christ. Next, he brought his brother Simon (Saint Peter) to Jesus and Jesus received him, too, as His disciple. At first the two brothers continued to carry on their fishing trade and family affairs, but later, the Lord called them to stay with Him all the time. He promised to make them fishers of men, and this time, they left their nets for good. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name's sake. Saint Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel. In Patras, he healed the governor’s wife and she became a Christian. The governor was furious and ordered St. Andrew to be crucified. He was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X" to which he was tied, not nailed. “X” is the first letter of "Christ" in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew. He lived two days in that state of suffering, still preaching to the people who gathered around their beloved Apostle.

Hymns

Apolytikion, Fourth Mode

As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy.

Kontakion, Second Mode

Let us praise the namesake of bravery, the divinely eloquent and first to be called of the Disciples of Christ, the kinsman of Peter. As he called out to him in days of old, so now he calls to us, "Come, we have found Him for whom we yearned."