The Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is the first of the twelve preachers whom the Lord chose to carry the gospel instructions to the people. About the glorious life, icons, temples erected in his honor, as well as how the memory of the righteous is honored, read further in this article.
Life
The future holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was born in Galilee, in the city of Bethsaida. Over time, he moved to Capernaum, where he lived there with his brother Simon. Their home was near the Lake of Gennesaret. The young man earned a living by catching fish.
Ever since childhood, the Apostle Andrew was drawn to God. He decided that he would never marry, and became a disciple of John the Baptist. While in the Jordan, the prophet pointed out to him and John the Theologian a man whom he called the Lamb of God. It was Jesus Christ, whom Andrew immediately followed as his Lord.
The Gospel says that the saint was the first to respond to the call of God, for which he received the name of the First-Called. In addition, he brought brother Simon to Christ, who soonbecame the apostle Peter. It was he who pointed out to Jesus the boy with two fish and five loaves, which soon multiplied in an amazing way, feeding a large number of people.
Visit Russia
Andrew the First-Called witnessed many miracles that Christ did. The holy apostle visited the Kyiv mountains, where he erected a cross, saying that God's grace would shine here and a great city with many beautiful churches would stand in this place. He also came to the Novgorod land, as described in some old manuscripts.
In 1030, one of the sons of Prince Yaroslav the Wise received the name Andrei at baptism. After 56 years, he decided to found a monastery in Kyiv. The prince called him Andreevsky. In 1089, a new church was consecrated by Metropolitan Ephraim of Pereyaslavl. It was the Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Toward the end of the 11th century, another temple was erected in his honor, now in Novgorod. A lot of time has passed since then, but the good deeds of St. Andrew the First-Called are still honored and remembered by many people around the world.
Execution
Several last years of his life, the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called lived in Patras. Here, however, as elsewhere, where he visited, the saint preached the faith of Christ. He managed to create a very impressive Christian community. In the city, he performed various miracles, including healing by the laying on of hands, as well as resurrecting the dead.
About the year 67 the rulerAegeates, who still worshiped pagan gods, ordered the execution of the apostle by crucifixion. Andrew the First-Called believed that he was not worthy to die in the same way as Jesus Christ. Therefore, the cross for his crucifixion had a rather unusual appearance, because it was beveled. Now it is considered one of the most revered symbols in the Christian world. The cross, in honor of the executed apostle, began to be called "St. Andrew's".
The ruler Aegeat, who ruled at that time in Patras, gave the order not to nail the saint to the cross, but only tie him in order to prolong his suffering. However, the apostle preached from there for two more days. The people who came to listen to him began to demand an end to the execution. Fearing the wrath of the people, Aegeates ordered the saint to be taken down from the cross. But Andrew the First-Called decided to accept his death here for the sake of Christ.
As warriors, and then ordinary people, did not try, but they could not untie his bonds. According to eyewitnesses, when the preacher was dying, he lit up with a bright light.
Now November 30 (December 13) is celebrated as the day of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. According to legend, soon a life-giving source beat at the place of his execution.
Orthodox shrine - St. Andrew's Cross
In ancient written sources and, in particular, in the text of Hippolytus of Rome, dated to the 2nd century, it is directly stated that the apostle was crucified in the city of Patras. After the death of the saint, the cross on which he died was placed in a majestic ark, repeating the same X-shapedconfiguration. Until now, fragments of this shrine are kept in a special icon case at the largest Orthodox Greek cathedral in Patras.
According to church tradition, the St. Andrew's Cross was made from an olive tree that once grew in Achaia. After it was discovered in Massalia, scientists conducted a number of scientific studies. They found out that the cross really refers to the time period when the Apostle Andrew was executed.
Orthodox church in Greece
In honor of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called in 1974, the construction of a majestic cathedral was finally completed in Patras. It is known from the history of the temple that the competition for the development of this architectural project was announced back in 1901. After 7 years, by order of King George I, the foundation was laid.
Initially, the construction was led by Anastasios Metaxas, the most famous Greek architect, and after his death, the church of St. Andrew the First-Called continued to be built by Georgios Nomikos.
Beginning in 1910 and for the next 20 years, no work was carried out due to the instability of the ground. In 1934, the dome was erected, and already in 1938, construction was again frozen, first because of the war, and then because of the difficult economic situation that prevailed in Greece. In 1955, the construction of the temple was continued, introducing a special tax for the townspeople.
Now the building is the largest Orthodox church in Greece. Next to it stands another temple dedicated to this apostle, the constructionwhich was completed in 1843. There is a source nearby. Presumably, Andrew the First-Called was once crucified at this place.
Return of the shrine to Patras
In 1980, the priest Panagiotis Simigiatos visited the place where part of the Cross of the Apostle Andrew had been for a long time. He decided to return it to the city of Patras, from where the shrine was once taken out. The local Metropolitan Nikodim, having joined his efforts with the Roman Catholic Church, achieved the return of the shrine to its historical homeland.
In mid-January 1980, in Patras, she was greeted with great honors by thousands of people, led by the clergy and representatives of the city authorities.
Top award
The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was established by a decree of Peter I in 1698. Most likely, the tsar was inspired by stories about a preacher who once carried out missionary work in Russia and died at the hands of pagans who crucified him on a cross.
The first award went to Count Fyodor Golovin, who received it in 1699. Over the next 100 years, more than 200 people were awarded this order, and over 2 centuries there were already about a thousand of them. Under Emperor Paul I, they began to be awarded to persons with clergy titles, and since 1855 - to the military for feats of arms.
The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called was canceled in 1917. It was returned only in 1998 by a special decree of Russian President Boris Yeltsin. It is the highest award of the Russian Federation, which is awarded both to its citizens and to the heads of governments of other states forservices to Russia.
The meaning of the icon
The face of St. Andrew the First-Called can be found in almost any Orthodox church. On icons, he is usually depicted near the Cross. Most often, he blesses all believers with one hand, and holds a scroll in the other. Sometimes it can be depicted in a different way. On some icons, the holy apostle's hands are complex on his chest, which speaks of his humility. When Jesus was dying, the apostle was nearby and saw all his suffering, but, despite this, he decided to repeat the feat of his mentor, which consisted in conveying the good news to people.
Prayer to the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called
Daily, a large number of believers bow before the shrines. They pray to the apostle, asking him for he alth to their relatives and friends, as well as for assistance in solving the problems that have arisen.
Andrew the First-Called is the protector of sailors, fishermen and representatives of other maritime professions. Most of them pray to him before setting sail. In addition, the saint is the patron of foreign language teachers and translators, and the parents of unmarried girls ask him for a happy marriage for their daughters. Pray to Andrew the First-Called should be like this:
Previous Apostle of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Church follower, all-mighty Andrew! We glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, sweetly commemorate your blessed coming to us, appease your honest suffering, even for Christthou hast endured, we kiss thy sacred relics, we honor thy holy memory, and we believe that the Lord lives, and thy soul is alive, and with Him abides forever in heaven, where thou lovest us with love, even thou hast loved us, when Thou hast seen the sight of the Holy Spirit our, even to Christ, appeal, and do not just love, but also pray to God for us, in vain in the light of His all our needs.
yours, even if it ever listens and accepts, it will give us everything that is necessary for the salvation of us sinners: yes, as if you were abie according to the voice of the Lord, leave your scum, you followed Him unswervingly, and everyone from us seeks not their own, but hedgehog to the creation of their neighbor and let him think of the high rank. Having the same intercessor and intercessor for us, we hope that your prayer can do much before the Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ, He deserves all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit and forever and ever. Amen.
Akathist to the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called can be heard in Orthodox churches around the world. He is the patron saint of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Romania, Sicily, Scotland and Greece.
