Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew, not only the brother of Simon Peter but also one of the first two disciples, as we read in the Gospel of John. “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus” (John 1:35-40).
It is Saint Andrew who, immediately after meeting the Lord, conveys this testimony to his brother Simon: “He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). Then he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:41-42).
After the Lord’s death, little is known about Saint Andrew. He is mentioned only in apocryphal writings, which are not considered reliable. However, it is said that he evangelized in Asia Minor, regions around the Black Sea, and eventually reached the Volga River. He died a martyr’s death in Patras, Achaea, around the year 60. He was crucified on a diagonal cross, which he requested because that symbol was used as a Greek sign for Christ.
Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Romania, Ukraine, and Russia.
