Andrew the First-Called, or the holy Apostle Andrew, is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, who was the brother of the Apostle Peter. He was crucified on a cross, which was called the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called and turned into a shrine. But first things first.
Andrew the First-Called
The Baptist John sent two brothers to Jesus - Peter and Andrew. The latter became the closest disciple of Christ. That is why he was called the First-Called. He, along with other disciples of Jesus, watched the crucifixion of his teacher, and also witnessed a real miracle: Jesus is risen!
According to the Bible, each of the twelve disciples of Christ went to preach His teachings. The First-Called went to the east. He traveled for a long time, visited many countries and cities, the last of which was Patras in Greece. It was here that Andrew the First-Called performed many different miracles that prompted the locals to make a decision about Baptism.
The ruler of Patras named Aegeates did not heed the teachings of the First-Called andremained a convinced pagan, calling Andrew's sermons madness. By his order, the Apostle Andrew was executed. His deathbed was the so-called cross of St. Andrew the First-Called. It was on him that the apostle was crucified. According to legend, the crucified Andrew was alive and conscious for three days. During this time, he taught people. The First-Called One accepted martyrdom after a prayer was uttered to God that he would take the martyr to himself.
What does the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called symbolize?
It is the Apostle Andrew who is the link between the Orthodox and Constantinople churches. On the territory of the future Ancient Russia, the apostle left a pectoral cross, preaching Christianity. He turned the pagan faith into his own.
From the time of the Emperor of Russia Peter I the Great, the Apostle Andrei became the patron saint of St. Petersburg, and the cross itself became a symbol of the Russian fleet. It was he who was depicted on the St. Andrew's flag (a blue cross on a white cloth).
No other than a miracle
The Cross of St. Andrew the First-Called can be called a real miracle of God! Today, a lot of believing Christians daily bow before him, asking for help in solving certain problems. And not in vain. The Apostle Andrew hears and sees the pain that lives in their hearts, and asks the Lord to send down help to these people. Spirit-possessed or terminally ill people who come to the cross are healed.
Where is the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called?
Of course, where the Apostle Andrew was martyred, thenis in the city of Patras in Greece. The cross was transferred there with great honors in January 1980. Today it is in a specially equipped kivot in the New Temple, which is dedicated to the Apostle Andrew.
What is the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called made of?
From an olive tree growing in the region of Achaia. When the cross was discovered in Massalia, scientists conducted special studies that confirmed its belonging to the very era in which the holy Apostle Andrew was crucified. Also, scientists were able to prove that the material from which the cross is made is the olive tree growing in Achaia.
