Category:Saint Andrew

Saint Andrew - Apostle - First-called Born: Early 1st century in Bethsaida Died: Mid- to late 1st century AD in Patras Honored in: All of Christianity Canonized: Apostolic age by Pre-congregation Major shrine: Church of St Andreas at Patras, with his relics Feast: November 30 Attributes: Old man with long (in the East often untidy) white hair and beard, holding the Gospel Book or scroll, sometimes leaning on a saltire (a Saint Andrew's Cross in the form of a diagonal cross or the letter X - as it is said that he was martyred on a cross of that design.) Patronage: Scotland, Ukraine, Russia, Sicily, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Patras, Diocese of Parañaque, City of Manila, Amalfi, Luqa (Malta) and Prussia; Diocese of Victoria fishermen, fishmongers and rope-makers

-- ---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Andrew - Manliness, a Greek name; one of the apostles of  our Lord. He was of Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), and was the brother of Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18; Matthew 10:2). On one occasion John the Baptist, whose disciple he then was, pointing to Jesus, said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:40); and Andrew, hearing him, immediately became a follower of Jesus, the first of His disciples. After he had been led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, his first care was to bring also his brother Simon to Jesus. The two brothers seem to have after this pursued for a while their usual calling as fishermen, and did not become the stated attendants of the Lord till after John's imprisonment (Matthew 4:18 - 4:19; Mark 1:16 - 1:17). Very little is related of Andrew. He was one of the confidential disciples (John 6:8; John 12:22), and with Peter, James, and John inquired of our Lord privately regarding His future coming (Mark 13:3). He was present at the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:9), and he introduced the Greeks who desired to see Jesus (John 12:22); but of his subsequent history little is known. It is noteworthy that Andrew thrice brings others to Christ, (1) Peter; (2) the lad with the loaves; and (3) certain Greeks. These incidents may be regarded as a key to his character. -- excerpt from Lives of the Saints,1894 by Alban Butler, Benziger Brothers edition, 1894

November 30 — ST. ANDREW, Apostle

ST. ANDREW was one of the fishermen of Bethsaida, and brother, perhaps elder brother, of St. Peter, and became a disciple of St. John Baptist. He seemed always eager to bring others into notice; when called himself by Christ on the banks of the Jordan, his first thought was to go in search of his brother, and he said, "We have found the Messiah," and he brought him to Jesus. It was he again who, when Christ wished to feed the five thousand in the desert, pointed out the little lad with the five loaves and fishes. St. Andrew went forth upon his mission to plant the Faith in Scythia and Greece, and at the end of years of toil to win a martyr's crown. After suffering a cruel scourging at Patræ in Achaia, he was left, bound by cords, to die upon a cross. When St. Andrew first caught sight of the gibbet on which he was to die, he greeted the precious wood with joy. "O good cross!" he cried, "made beautiful by the limbs of Christ, so long desired, now so happily found! Receive me into thy arms and present me to my Master, that He Who redeemed me through thee may now accept me from thee." Two whole days the martyr remained hanging on this cross alive, preaching, with outstretched arms from this chair of truth, to all who came near, and entreating them not to hinder his passion.

Reflection.— If we would do good to others, we must, like St. Andrew, keep close to the Cross.