Supplicatory Canon to Apostle Andrew

About this book

Saint Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and the brother of Saint Peter. He was born in Bethsaida in Galilee and later lived in Capernaum. He was the son of Jonah and worked as a fisherman. Andrew was originally a disciple of John the Baptist. According to the Gospel of John, when John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, Andrew followed Him. He then brought his brother Simon to Jesus. In the Synoptic Gospels, Andrew is described as being called by Jesus while fishing on the Sea of Galilee, after which he left his nets and followed Him. Andrew is named in the lists of the twelve apostles in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and in the Acts of the Apostles. In the Gospel accounts, he is present at several events. He is mentioned in connection with the feeding of the five thousand, where he brought a boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus. He is also mentioned in the Gospel of John as bringing certain Greeks to Jesus. In Mark's Gospel, Andrew is among the four apostles who privately asked Jesus about the destruction of the Temple. After the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, Andrew is listed among the apostles present in Jerusalem. According to early Christian tradition, he later undertook missionary journeys. These traditions place his preaching in regions including Asia Minor, Scythia, Thrace, and Achaia. He is also associated in tradition with the foundation of the Church in Byzantium, later known as Constantinople. Andrew was martyred in the city of Patras in Achaia. According to early accounts, he was arrested by local authorities during the reign of a Roman governor named Aegeas. He was condemned to death for preaching Christianity. Tradition states that he was crucified on a cross of diagonal form, commonly known as an X-shaped cross. He was bound to the cross rather than nailed. Sources state that Andrew remained alive for a period while on the cross and continued to speak to those present. His death is generally dated to the first century, during the period of Roman rule.