Saint Andrew the Apostle: Life, Martyrdom, and Prayers
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was born in Bethsaida, in Galilee, and was one of Christ’s first disciples. He had already been a disciple of Saint John the Baptist. When John introduced him to the Savior, he believed and followed Him. He helped many people come to know Jesus. Saint Andrew is an example of trust and holiness for all Christians. His feast day is November 30, and he is the patron saint of Scotland—which even features the Cross of Saint Andrew on its flag—as well as of the Romanian Church and the Russian Navy.
Biography of Saint Andrew the Apostle
Saint Andrew’s Encounter with Jesus
“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.
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. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas' (which is translated Peter).”
(John 1:35–42)
Thus, it was through him that Saint Peter met the Lord. He had also served as an intermediary during the feeding of the five thousand, since it was he who had led the young man, carrying the five loaves and two fish, to Christ. He also introduced a group of Greeks, who had approached him, to Jesus.
The Evangelization and Martyrdom of Saint Andrew
After Pentecost, Saint Andrew set out on a long journey to preach the Gospel in Mesopotamia, Bithynia, Ephesus, Maritime Thrace, Lesser Scythia, Crimea, Byzantium, and finally in the region north of the Peloponnese. Ukraine considers Saint Andrew to be the first evangelizer of Kyiv. He is also considered to be the first to have evangelized what is now Romania.
Unfortunately, his journey ended in Patras, Greece, where he died a martyr on a cross. The Golden Legend, written by Jacobus de Voragine, recounts that it was the proconsul Aegeus who ordered his execution. Indeed, Saint Andrew is said to have converted and baptized the pagan’s wife. He then gave him a choice: to sacrifice to the Roman gods or to die on a cross. Saint Andrew chose the cross, remaining faithful to Christ and unafraid of this torture: “If I feared this torture, I would not preach the greatness of the Cross,” he is said to have remarked. He survived for two days, during which time he taught the crowds and preached the Good News. When he breathed his last, a great and intense light emanated from his body.
Saint Andrew is considered the founder of the Eastern Church, while his brother, Saint Peter, is considered the founder of the Western Church. Both died on a cross.
The relics of Saint Andrew now rest (for the most part) in Amalfi, Italy. Of course, some of the relics (notably those from the cross) are also found in Patras, in the Basilica of Saint Andrew.
Three Beautiful Prayers to Saint Andrew the Apostle
Prayer to Saint Andrew, Founder of the Eastern Church
“You have given us, Lord, Saint Andrew, brother of Saint Peter, as the patron saint of the Greek Church. Grant that we may feel this fraternal closeness in our relationships with one another, so that we may promptly confess with one voice the one faith in the one Lord, God and Father, which we have received through a single baptism.
Open our hearts to the spiritual riches of this Church, which so beautifully honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, whenever a blessing from Christ is recalled.
May we, through her intercession and the virtues of her universal motherhood, overcome our divisions and all together experience the joy of living as brothers and sisters in Christ, to the praise of your glory and in service to our brothers and sisters in humanity.
Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
Prayer to Saint Andrew for Healthcare Workers
“Saint Andrew, day after day, you welcomed with love and compassion those who came to you to share their sufferings.
You knew the weariness of those long hours devoted to the service of others.
Who, better than you, could understand the weariness of the women and men who devote themselves day after day to caring for a loved one afflicted by illness?
Who, better than you, could share in the suffering of the sick and in their joy at having someone by their side who is ready to help them day after day?
You, who are the patron saint of caregivers, help us to find each day the strength to love the people we care for and the joy of receiving their love.
Together with you, we bring our joys and our sufferings before the Lord.
With you, we entrust ourselves to Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary.
With you, we turn to God our Father, the source of all grace and all good.
Amen.”
Prayer to Saint Andrew for Healing
“Saint Andrew, whom nothing and no one could stop from preaching the true faith,
give me the strength to rid my body of the illness that causes me suffering.
Saint Andrew, you who renounced everything to follow our Lord to the foot of the cross, deliver me from my affliction, so that I may do a little good by following your example.
So that grace may spread throughout my body, you can command the evil to disappear in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.”
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Saint Andrew founded the Eastern Church, so join him in praying this , who are still being persecuted.
