St. Andrew

The Icon

Feast Day - November 30

St. Andrew "the First-called" of the Apostles, followed our Lord’s call to "come, follow me," when he first met Jesus in Andrew’s hometown of Bethsaida. His initial encounter with Christ came when he was casting his fishing nets into the sea of Galilee. Soon after, he and his brother, Peter, became "fishers of men." Andrew’s travels covered a great geographic area. He preached throughout Asia Minor and ordained Stachys bishop of what is now known as Constantinople, beginning the unbroken line for the Ecumenical Throne which exists to this day. Andrew continued his labors along the Black Sea and into Kiev. After converting the wife and brother of the imperial governor to Christianity in Patras in the year 62. In some icons, you will see St. Andrew depicted with the X-shaped cross on which he was crucified. His body was returned to Constantinople 200 years later.

Troparion in tone 4

Andrew, first-called of the Apostles
and brother of the foremost disciple,
entreat the Master of all
to grant peace to the world
and to our souls great mercy.

Kontakion in tone 2

Let us praise Andrew, the herald of God,
the namesake of courage,
the first-called of the Savior's disciples
and the brother of Peter.
As he once called to his brother, he now cries out to us:
"Come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!"

For information concerning the life of St. Andrew please click here