Saint Andrew holds a significant place in Christian history as the first disciple of Jesus. Born in the town of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee, he and his elder brother, Saint Peter, made their living as fishermen. Their lives took a transformative turn when Jesus beckoned them with the promise of becoming “fishers of men,” leading them to abandon their fishing trade to follow him.

Initially, St. Andrew was a disciple of St. John the Baptist. However, his allegiance shifted when John proclaimed Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” Recognizing Jesus’ superior divine status, Andrew promptly chose to follow Jesus, even bringing his brother Simon Peter to him, who was also called to be an apostle.

Despite their continued work as fishermen, St. Andrew and St. Peter cultivated a closer relationship with Christ, ultimately dedicating themselves entirely to his teachings. Following Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, St. Andrew devoted himself to spreading the gospel. His missionary journeys took him to Asia Minor and as far as Kiev in Scythia. While the Book of Acts in the Bible does not extensively detail St. Andrew’s life, his evangelistic efforts are well-acknowledged.

St. Andrew’s life culminated in martyrdom. He was crucified in Patras, Achaea, in Greece. Out of a sense of unworthiness to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus, he requested an X-shaped cross, known as a Crux decussata. Suffering for two days before his death, he continued to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Despite the limited biblical account of his life, St. Andrew’s story is a testament to unwavering faith and devotion. Along with his brother, St. Peter, he abandoned a lifetime of fishing to follow Jesus, a decision that stands as an inspiring example of faith for Christians.

St. Andrew’s relics, including a small finger, part of his cranium, and pieces of his cross, are enshrined in the Church of St. Andrew in Patras. Revered as the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, and Greece, his legacy is celebrated globally, particularly on Saint Andrew’s Day on November 30th. The Scottish flag, featuring the Cross of St. Andrew, symbolizes his enduring influence and legacy.

Photo credit: Luis Fraga / Shutterstock.com
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22 COMMENTS

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  1. St Andrew I love you and everyone who is part of Christ. Please protect us all during these uncertain times, and lead us to Heaven. Amen

  2. Thank You…I never knew about the Scotland flag that symbolizes the crucification and that he was a former apostle to St. John The Baptist…wow great education too

  3. Not “of Russia”. The now known Russia is not the original “Rus”. Peter “the great” stole the name and renamed the KHANAT of Moscow into “Russia”.

    best regards,

    a Ukrainian

  4. The proper spelling of the Ukrainian capital is KYIV, not Kiev (which is the russian pronunciation). St Andrew’s statue stands over the center of Rus (as the Ukrainian above describes accurately), in Kyiv over the Dnipro which flows through the middle of the country. The muscovites stole the name of Rus’ as their own, even though they lived 854 km away.

  5. St Andrew you died for Christ please pray for us all to change our lives and come closer to Jesus and that every member of my family and extended family return to the faith and start going to Church every week. St. Andrew please pray to Jesus for Eliyana and Maritte’s healing. I pray for Ian and Dexter to change their lives for the better and I pray for my own child to find a good boy and marry into a good house where peace, love, joy and the Love of Christ reigns. I lift up Suanne please help her with her migration and everything works out well and that she will be able to settle down and take care of her parents – Amen.

  6. St Andrew, please hear the prayers of the under privilege people, the poor & hungry.
    Please make their lives easier on this earth. Graciously hear my prayers. Also help my
    children by sending the holy spirit to fill their lives with the knowledge & wisdom to live a life that can bring glory to our LORD – AMEN .

  7. O Glorious Saint Andrew,
    you were the first
    to recognize and follow
    the Lamb of God.
    With your friend Saint John
    you remained with Jesus
    for that first day,
    for your entire life,
    and now throughout eternity.
    As you led your brother
    Saint Peter to Christ
    and many others after him,
    draw us also to Him.
    Teach us to lead others
    to Christ solely out of love
    for Him and dedication
    in His service.
    Help us to learn
    the lesson of the Cross
    and to carry our daily crosses
    without complaint
    so that they may
    carry us to Jesus.

  8. The beautiful St. Andrew novena begins today:

    St. Andrew Christmas Novena

    Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.

    Amen

    Repeat 15 times a day until Christmas.

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