Christianity is over two thousand years old. During this time, many people have managed to show their best human qualities, for which believers revere them as saints. One of them is the MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete. This man managed to do a lot for future generations. And his life is quite interesting for modern people. It reflects all the conditions for the existence of mankind at the beginning of the last millennium, anxiety and hardship, as well as the resilience of individuals, like a feat. Let's see who the Monk Martyr Andrew of Crete is, whose life is comprehensively studied by believers. Why do modern citizens need to know about it?
Rev. Martyr Andrew of Crete: Life
There is some confusion in the minds of people who are not immersed in theology. There are several saints named Andrew. And two of them are Cretan. They should not be confused, since these people went through a completely different path, each became famous in his own way. The MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete, whose life we are describing, was an ordinary God-fearing young man. He lived during the time of the iconoclast emperor. Among peers, this person stood outonly by keeping the traditions sacred. He renounced worldly pleasures, prayed and set an example for those around him. The texts that were written in his memory say that the Monk Martyr Andrew of Crete was able to guide many on the true path, to kindle faith in their hearts. He lived at a time when no one openly resisted Christian traditions. It seems that peace has been established in society. But the devil did not leave people with his black attention. But the act became a cunning, with which the future Martyr Andrew of Crete was indignant.
Important milestones in life
Believers, celebrating the Day of St. Andrew the Martyr of Crete, remember his fate, try to absorb the experience of this person. At the same time, attention is focused on devotion to Jesus, the hardships that he managed to overcome for His glory. This is common practice. Nevertheless, in order to form a correct image, it is necessary to imagine those historical events that a person had to face. Most likely, the formation of his personality was influenced by the observation of how others do not give up sin. His biography tells that this man was kind and meek. He did not quarrel with sinners, but showed them an example with his life. Resistance to almost the entire society can break or temper. Andrei remained true to his principles, received from his parents. His faith only grew stronger, which he demonstrated publicly in Constantinople when the time came.
Fight against arbitrariness
This is what people born, for example, in the nineteenth century would say about the activities of the martyr. And the following happened. There was an emperor in Constantinople named Constantine Copronymus, nicknamed an iconoclast. He ordered to remove the faces of the saints from the temples, since "it is not worthwhile to worship a tree." Believers sabotaged such a strange decree, it offended their religious feelings. The emperor rested his head and ordered the disobedient to be imprisoned. Andrei Kritsky learned about this. He immediately went to Constantinople. He was outraged by the fact of the torment of people who wanted to pray to the Lord. The fair speeches of Andrew of Crete did not enlighten the emperor. He commanded to seize and torture the intercessor of believers. But no torture could break his will and commitment to faith. The young man died while on his way to the place of execution.
Troparion and Kontakion of the Monk Martyr Andrew of Crete
According to church rules, this Saint is commemorated on October 17th. The choir sings during church services. Short verses are sung, telling or reminiscent of important events associated with a date or holiday. The troparion of St. Andrew the Martyr of Crete is customarily performed on his day, as well as during Great Lent. This is done not only in order to remember the venerable martyr, but also to learn from his example the true faith. The text says that the feat of this saint was associated with the protection of his spiritual brothers. He was not afraid of the ruler and his armed henchmen, doing what he had to. It is also customary to read the magnification of St. Andrew of Crete during the service. This is the verse thatthe valor of the saint is praised. Its text is as follows: “We bless you, Martyr Andrew, and we honor your holy memory, mentor of monks and companion of angels.”
The "Savior" of the Imperial Family
Let's fast forward to the nineteenth century. The whole family of Alexander III got into an accident on the day of St. Andrew. They traveled on a train that derailed and overturned. More than twenty people were injured, but the entire imperial family remained intact. This story influenced the surroundings so much that a church of St. Andrew of Crete was built in St. Petersburg. People considered the event as the grace of God, which they decided to perpetuate. The church still stands today. It is not particularly noticeable, as it is included in the architectural complex of urban development. But believers visit this temple to pray to the saint. The MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete, whose icon is in this church, as in many others, is considered a healer. The fact that his relics work miracles is said in ancient documents.
What the monk-martyr is asked for
In the middle of the fourteenth century, a Russian pilgrim named Stefan of Novgorod visited Tsargrad. He described his long journey in a work that has been preserved to our times. The text contains information that the imperishable relics of St. Andrew are able to heal the afflicted. The same is described in an anonymous work called "Journey to Constantinople." The relics were in the monastery, named after Andrew of Crete, located in Constantinople (now Istanbul). To thempeople came who gave up under the pressure of circumstances. They asked the saint for support and intercession. And now believers go to the icons in many churches, feeling themselves defenseless. These people find comfort in the saint, draw new strength, reflecting on his life and deeds.
Prayer to the Martyr
In church books you can find the canon and troparion of the Saint. It is customary to read these texts if a person wants to turn to the venerable martyr. They speak of the feat and strength of an ordinary person, whom faith helped to resist the authorities. Each of us has situations in life when we consider ourselves too “small” in front of our enemies. And if you look at what the venerable martyr was able to do, then be ashamed. It was a young man who carefully kept the image of the Lord in his heart. He did not possess any we alth, or weapons, did not lead the army. However, having learned about the diabolical machinations of the cunning emperor, who planned to pervert the essence of religious tradition, he was able to rise to the level of a warrior of Christ. Agree, at the beginning of the millennium there were completely different orders. Speaking against the ruler, a person doomed himself to a painful death. And he wasn't scared! Prayer to the Monk Martyr Andrew of Crete is about this. Every believer seeks to merge with the Lord in such a way as to forget about his mortal life in a difficult situation, and act for His glory.
About confusion in the names of saints
We have already mentioned that there are two Andreevs of Crete. It so happened that these people lived at about the same time. But everyoneown way. Not quite literate authors attribute the deeds of the Martyr to St. Andrew. This is not only inappropriate, but also very harmful, since it gives rise to doubts in the fragile soul about the truth of the existence of such people. It turns out directly diabolical intrigues, but on a different level, the same as that of the iconoclast emperor. In order for the dear reader to fully understand what we are talking about, we will write a little about the life of St. Andrew of Crete. This man is known for quite different things. His faith manifested itself in the ability to resist not the emperor, but in a sense, a more formidable force - a community of spiritual teachers recognized by the believing authorities at that time. He defended the correct understanding of Jesus Christ at the Ecumenical Council. A few words about this man.
St. Andrew of Crete
The boy was born in the third quarter of the 7th century in the glorious city of Damascus. Andrei's parents were deeply religious people, and the child was brought up in the same spirit. One thing worried them - the offspring did not want to talk. Already the seventh year went to the boy, and he was like a fish. This circumstance played a very important role in his life, directing fate in a special direction. He spoke. How? More on this later. At the age of fourteen, the future Saint Andrew of Crete went to the Jordan Lavra. There he comprehended the sciences in monasticism, and then was appointed a clerk. St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, drew attention to the young monk. This man was personally involved in his spiritual education. After the capture of the Holy CityMuslims assigned Andrei the duties of a singel, that is, a secretary. He happened to speak at the VI Ecumenical Council. Believers respected and revered him for his courage and adherence to principles. In 685, he was elected archbishop of the island of Crete, where he served until his death.
Miracle
It is very important to understand how a person becomes a faithful warrior of Christ, especially in ancient times. And they were quite cruel, they didn’t think about human rights then, wars flared up like dry brushwood. For adherence to Christianity, they were killed quite often. Inner convictions, as well as ways of performing religious rites, became life-threatening. The future Saint Andrew of Crete was born into a Christian family. As already stated, the boy was mute. His parents did not hear a single word from him until the boy was seven years old. The whole family, as believing, went to the temple. Once, after communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, the boy spoke. Parents thought this turn of events was a miracle. And this prompted them to incline their son to monasticism. And Andrei himself was impressed by a kind of rebirth. His path from that moment was predetermined. He sacredly served the Lord, was appointed archbishop to Crete, built churches there and took care of the affairs of the flock.
Conclusion
We often think of saints only in difficult times. You know, there is a certain selfishness in today's believers. As soon as help is needed, we run to the temple, and talk about who we turn tolazy. From this relation, in particular, confusion arises in the minds. It is a shame not to know who the Monk Martyr Andrew of Crete is, you must agree. In church schools, it is customary to study the exploits of people in the past. Children receive not only information, but also the basis for the formation of character. The venerable martyr shows them an example of how much faith gives to an ordinary person. She raises him above injustice, elevates him to the heights of power, allows him to resist arbitrariness, protecting his neighbor. Strength is not in the number of weapons or money, but in the truth, based on the precepts of Jesus. Having such knowledge in the soul, it becomes easier for a person to cope with the hardships of life. No wonder they say that happy is the one who has Christ in his heart. Such a person will never feel alone, or betrayed, or abandoned. What do you think?
