Having passed an incredible amount of lands, from Byzantium to Scythia, Thessaly, Hellas, Thrace and Macedonia, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called brought the Good News to all these peoples, preaching about the appearance of the Messiah, who descended to earth for the salvation of the human race. And Saint Andrew received his nickname the First-Called in honor of the fact that he was the first to be accepted as a disciple by Jesus. The Apostle Andrew carried the word of Christ to the people, so that they could see, for this he accepted martyrdom, knowing the Kingdom of Heaven.

Akathist, or laudatory prayer to Andrew the First-Called, is a guide to his exploits in the field of preaching the Good News about the Son of God. The whole path of the Apostle and his earnest surrender to the Heavenly Teacher are described by the grateful words of the Christian sages, glorifying the blessed path of the first of Christ's disciples with unctuous odes.

Of course, the story of the Galilean fishermen Andrei and Simon has long been known to everyone. The brothers, who were born in Bethsaida, went in search of a better life to Capernaum, where they began to continue the work that they used to feed themselves. So both brothers would have lived their lives, being unknown fishermen, but they met Christ.

From his youth, Andrei chose a pure life and, refusing marriage, wanted to devote himself to the service of the Almighty. Hearing from the people that a certain John, nicknamed the Forerunner, was speaking the good news about the coming of the Messiah, the future Apostle went to him. In the same place on the Jordan, where the Baptist preached, Andrew was lucky to find the beginning of his great journey - to become his disciple.

• Kontakion 2 - magnifies the meeting of Andrew and the Baptist, which became the turning point that gave people a faithful disciple and Apostle to our Lord Jesus.

Andrei and Simon met the one who gave them the meaning of existence. “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” Christ said to the fishermen on the shore. What could they do but follow His call, they did not dare to disobey the Son of God. Since then, the lives of the brothers Andrew and Simon have been dedicated to Jesus, they followed in his footsteps, listening to every word of wisdom. Simon later took the name Peter, which in Aramaic meant stronghold or stone - this testified to the strength of his faith in the teachings of Jesus. Andrey was destined to convert the northern lands into the Holy Faith of Christ.

After fifty days from the Ascension of the Son of God, the unburned fiery tongues of the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. They received from Heaven the gift of healing the flesh and healing the spirit, the possibility of insight and knowledge of different languages, in order to disperse throughout the earthly boundaries and bring the Good News to people. Peter stood at the source of Christ's Church on the lands of the Roman Empire, and Andrew's biography says that he traveled the road to the north, converting the peoples of Byzantium and Scythia to Christianity.

• Kontakion 3 - it sings of an event called the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. This became for them and for us proof of a great miracle - the Resurrection of Christ.

The path of the Apostle to the northern lands

The Apostle Andrew the First-Called is the one who had the lot to go and preach in the Scythian and Thracian lands. According to the studied heritage of medieval philosophers and those artifacts that were later found, the Holy Apostle reached the lands of modern Abkhazia, Georgia, the Black Sea region and even further. Bosporus, Chersonese, Feodosia are mentioned in ancient works as those places that are marked by the holiness of the visit by Christ's Disciple. In this description of the lands, it is easy to guess to which nations the Apostle Andrew reached with the Good News - this is Rus' in a new, modern sense.

• Kontakion 1 - it sings praise to the one who erected the holy cross of the true faith in the lands of Scythia and in the entire northern side of the Kingdom of Judea.

But for some strange reason, these facts are hushed up, which is at least surprising. Why are the Gospels of only four Apostles widely known, because there is no doubt that all His disciples left their memories of Christ. It is strange that the Gospel of Andrew the First-Called fell into the apocrypha and is ranked among the dubious teachings, by the will of the dogmas from the Western churches. Surely an uncomfortable topic is hidden behind this wave of depreciation of the activities of someone who can claim to found the Holy Apostolic Church in the lands of Rus'. After all, then the primacy of Rome in this matter will be lost.

• Kontakion 8 is a song of thanksgiving to the one who blessed the grace of God and filled Orthodox Rus' with the Holy Spirit.

Quite rightly, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called is considered the founder and patron of the Holy Orthodox Church of Constantinople and, as its successor, the Russian Church. After his visit to the city, which eventually became known as Constantinople, a Christian community was formed there. A certain Stachy was ordained as bishop of the Constantinopolitan community. Contemporaries of that event mentioned many miracles created by hands - resurrection, healing and other wondrous deeds. The Tale of Bygone Years also mentions the journey of the Apostle from the Black Sea region to Ladoga, and how the disciple of Jesus preached in these lands.

Andrew the First-Called taught them that prayer is an important conversation with God. It is worth pronouncing prayers meaningfully, reading their meaning and passing through your soul. It is imperative to trust the Almighty and be sincere, be able to forgive enemies and respond with good to any evil. The Lord will see your kindness and will answer a hundredfold in order to dispel sorrow and grant the Kingdom of Heaven.

The feat and death of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called

After the labors of the righteous and a long journey through the Scythian and Black Sea regions, the Apostle sought to meet with brother Peter. At that time, Rome was ruled by Nero, a cruel and implacable emperor towards the early Christians, who saw the danger of his power from believers in Christ. Nero was the initiator of the most terrible persecutions and executions, in which the bearers of the true faith died by the thousands. The same fate befell the brothers.

On the island of Peloponnese, where Aegeat was the governor of the emperor, Andrew fell out of favor with him when he stood up for his followers and tried to reason with the ruler. Egeat did not accept the Good News about the creation of the universe and the human fall, for pagan beliefs were deeply rooted in him. The story of the Messiah, who died on the cross, being crucified, generally made the imperial governor furious. Indeed, at that time, execution in this way was applied exclusively to those whom they wanted to humiliate and disgrace.

Understanding that he was threatened for his impudence, Andrei did not abandon his mission to carry God's Word, so he ended up in prison. The execution verdict was almost ready when the followers of the Apostle decided to release him by staging a riot outside the prison walls. But the Apostle stopped them, giving a firm refusal - he himself chose his fate and the path of following the Son of God, therefore he accepted his death with joy.

• For execution, the tormentors chose an X-shaped cross. So that death would not be quick and cause the greatest suffering, he was tied, not nailed.
• Christ's Apostle suffered for two days, but did not stop bringing the Word of the true God to people. Many received their sight and believed, impressed by his sincerity and steadfastness.
• Maximilla, the wife of the city ruler of Patras, healed by the will of the Holy Spirit and the efforts of the Apostle, showed her sensitivity to the executed. She took his body down from the cross and buried it in the city, observing respect and honors.

Subsequently, the X-shaped cross was called Andreevsky. He became a symbol of loyalty to his cause, courage and perseverance. Since then, many states, out of respect for fidelity to the faith of Christ, impressed by the feat of the Apostle and the strength of his spirit, have added the symbol of the St. Andrew's Cross to their flag.

Prayer for help does wonders

The Day of Remembrance of the Apostle, when he is praised, in the Orthodox Church is scheduled for December 13 (according to the new style). But the prayer to the Apostle Andrew the First-Called not only on this date carries the incredible power of fulfilling desires, one has only to bow to him in due respect in order to receive help and intercession. Faith in an Orthodox heart is a guarantee of receiving the graces and gifts of Heaven.

Patron saint of sailors and fishermen

In an ancient legend, it is mentioned that Andrew resurrected the drowned. Pilgrims sailed to Patras, where Andrew preached, in order to hear his blessed speeches. However, a storm and a storm turned the ship over and smashed it against the rocks, all sailing on it drowned. The wave carried their bodies to the shore, where, by the will of divine guidance, the Apostle appeared.

Andrew prayed over the bodies of the dead and restored life to them. For this act, the Apostle is henceforth considered the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. The flag of the Russian fleet is decorated with the St. Andrew's Cross for a reason. It symbolizes the fidelity, fortitude and courage of people, just as the Apostle endured all suffering for the glory of the Lord Jesus.

• Going on a voyage, as usual, the flag is sprinkled with holy water and a prayer service is served so that it keeps all the personnel on the expedition from troubles and misfortunes, from the attack of an insidious enemy and defeat in military labor.
• The blessed flag with the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called is sure to fly on the mast of the ship, showing the pride of the Russian fleet. This flag for each sailor is a reminder of that feat of strength of faith and courage that the Apostle did not lose, patronizing them in difficult service.
• Fishermen without fail, before going out to sea, read a prayer to their intercessor and patron in trouble, so that the catch is generous, and the waves are merciful to them.
• The icon, which depicts Andrew the First-Called, is always kept in the captain's cabin. In case of danger, she is given prayers for help, in order to calm the sea wave and avoid death by God's providence.

The text of the prayer to Andrew the First-Called.

“The first-called Apostle of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, the follower of the Church, all-mighty Andrew! We glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, we sweetly remember your blessed coming to us, we bless your honest suffering, even if you endured for Christ, we kiss your sacred relics, we honor your holy memory and believe that the Lord lives, your soul is alive and with Him abides forever in heaven, where and love us the same love, she loved Thou hast us, when Thou hast seen us through the Holy Spirit, even if we turn to Christ, and do not just love, but also pray to God for us, in vain in the light of His all our needs. So we believe and confess this faith of ours in the temple, even in your name, Saint Andrew, gloriously created, where your holy relics rest: believing, we ask and pray to the Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, but with your prayers, even listen and accept, give us all that is necessary for the salvation of us sinners: yes, as if you are abie according to the voice of the Lord, leave the world and your own, unswervingly followed Him, and every one of us, let him not look for his own, but let him think about the creation of his neighbor and about the high calling. 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".

About marriage and a worthy groom

Young girls and their mothers offer their prayers to the Apostle Andrew that fate be merciful and send a worthy party to the girl. Usually it is customary to pray to Andrew the First-Called for marriage before the Bright Feast of the Resurrection of Christ or at Christmas. It is believed that these days Heaven is most favorable to the desires of people to marry.

• The prayer is read along with the full akathist to the First-Called Disciple of Christ Andrew.
• Before the face of the Apostle, you need to light a lamp or a candle - this is a symbol of your sincere faith.
• After you read Kontakion 13 of the Akathist, instead of the canonical one, a prayer for good suitors is read.
• Then the final troparion and magnification are read.
• The girl, having crossed herself, should go to rest.
• If the mother reads for the happiness of her daughter, then the prayer is completed with Psalm 90, which is considered a wonderful means to achieve goals and fulfill cherished desires.

Most often, such prayers are held at night. From time immemorial there has been a sign that at night the bride will dream of her betrothed, sent by God's will. Usually, after the prayers of the First-Called Apostle, the girl meets the desired husband, and within a year there will definitely be a wedding. One condition precedes this - devout faith in the Heavenly Patrons.

Prayer for marriage to the Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

“Oh, All-good Lord and His First-Called Apostle Andrew, I know that my great happiness depends on me loving you with all my soul and with all my heart and on fulfilling the will of the Most High in everything. Govern yourself, O my God, my soul and fill my heart: I want to please You alone, for You are the Creator and my God. Save me from pride and pride: let reason, modesty and chastity adorn me. Idleness is contrary to You and gives rise to vices, give me a desire for diligence and bless my labors. Inasmuch as Your law commands people to live in an honest marriage, then bring me, Holy Father, to this title consecrated by You, not to please my desire, but to fulfill Your destiny, for You Yourself said: it is not good for a man to be alone, and having created a wife for him as a helper, blessed them to grow, multiply and inhabit the earth. Hear my humble prayer, Andrew the First-Called Apostle, from the depths of a girl's heart sent to you; give me an honest and pious spouse, so that in love with him and in harmony we glorify you and the merciful God: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen".

Prayers for health and help to the sick

Apostle Andrew, like other Apostles, was given the power not only to fulfill desires, to bestow graces on faithful Christians, but perform real miracles - resurrect and heal. If you cry out a prayer to Andrei and ask him for the recovery of a loved one, then he will definitely have mercy and give you joy.

You can turn in prayer for recovery or successful treatment at any time of the day or night. This special case is never regulated by the canonical church charter. The health and life of a person is always a priority for the merciful Creator. If there is a need, pray and find help in trouble.

• Together with the prayer, the Apostle is read a short version of the akathist, starting with ikos 10, which tells about the ability of the apostle to heal and resurrect.
• They also pray for the healing of the possessed and the mentally ill, so that the Lord frees their minds from demonic obsession.

Ikos 10 - healing the sick and obsessed.

“Everywhere in the name of the Lord Jesus, healing the sick, resurrecting the dead, casting out demons, and in Patras, your dying sermon by miracles confirmed you, the apostle of Christ, and you turned the anfipat of the Blade to the knowledge of the truth, when you were struck by a wound for the sake of resistance, you were exalted from the bed of sickness; All the people, seeing the power of God in you, crushing their idols, therefore the Lord appeared to you, like Paul sometimes in Corinth, and commanded you to take your Cross, having marked yours in Patras, for His sake, suffering. The same and we, marveling at the great grace in you, reverently cry out: Rejoice, great power of God almighty; Rejoice, precious treasure of miracles. Rejoice, enlightenment and adornment of ancient Patras; Rejoice, unbelief of the Anfipat in faith changing. Rejoice, as the Lord has appeared to you, calling you to the feat of the cross; rejoice, for the crown of truth has been prepared for you. Rejoice, Andrew, First-Called Apostle of Christ.

A brief biography of Andrew the First-Called describes how a simple fisherman became an apostle of Christ. Together with other witnesses of the Resurrection of his Teacher, the apostle, which means a witness, fermented the entire universe with a new saving faith, unseen and unthinkable before. It was such an innovation that everyone who met Andrei was inflamed either with love and devotion to God, or with rejection and hatred. Apostle Andrew the First-Called was the one who enlightened you and me - through his mission in modern Ukraine and Russia. Today, many places in the Crimea still testify to this - even the temples that the apostle himself began to build have survived.

The Apostle Andrew was a Galilean, a countryman of the sons of Zebedee - the apostles John and James. Having first become a disciple of John the Baptist, he was the first to respond to the call of the Savior to preach. Due to the fact that he was honored to be the first to follow Christ, he was called the First-Called. The future apostle follows the Messiah, preceding John and Peter.

Life of Andrew the First-Called

Andrew the First-Called lived in the north of the Holy Land in a place called Galilee. Since the area bordered on Greece, there was much communication between the two peoples. Therefore, Andrei received a Greek name for himself, which means “Courageous” in translation. From his youth, the future apostle retained his chastity and his ardent desire to serve God; he first responded to the preaching of John the Baptist and was one of his disciples. After the baptism of Christ and the indication of the Forerunner about Him that "behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world", the Apostle Andrew, without hesitation, followed Him. With him was John, the future beloved disciple of Christ. This is how the first four apostles appeared: Andrew called his brother, the future apostle Peter, and now just Simon, and John called James: “We have found the Messiah!”

Saint Andrew the First-Called was with Christ from the very beginning of his preaching, and until the last: he was with him during the revelation of the Lord about the fate of the world, he told who had five loaves and two fish before the miracle of multiplication. He was with Him on the Mount of Olives, where Christ ascended into heaven after His Resurrection.

According to the promise of the Savior, on the 50th day after His Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and the Mother of God. The apostles, after being enlightened by grace and filled with many holy gifts, went out to preach. In Zion's upper room, they cast lots - to whom, in which country to go to preach. Apostle Andrew got our lands - the north of the Black Sea. In his wanderings, he reached the future Kyiv, where he erected a cross and predicted that the Lord would enlighten this land with Holy Baptism and erect many churches on it.

After returning to Greece, for many healings and conversions to Christianity, the apostle Andrew shared the fate of most of the other apostles: he was crucified by an ungodly pagan ruler. But he was crucified in such a way that his torment lasted longer. To do this, they tied him to a cross resembling the letter X, without nailing it, so that the saint would not die quickly. After two days of suffering, in prayer the apostle departed to the Lord, and those present saw how a bright light illuminated the cross with the martyr, and in this radiance he betrayed his soul.

Veneration of Saint Andrew the First-Called

The day of memory of the saint was established by the Orthodox Church on December 13, the Catholic - November 30.

The Apostle Andrew is considered the patron saint of the Russian Church, since she - the direct heir of Byzantium - took over the succession that the Church of Constantinople led from Andrew the First-Called.

In Russia, his memory was always solemnly celebrated - to a greater extent before the revolution. Special reverence was introduced by Peter 1 - the highest award order named after him and approved the St. Andrew's flag, under which many victories were made. The flag depicts an X-shaped cross - blue on a white background - on which the apostle was crucified.

The relics of St. Andrew are kept in the Greek city of Patras, at the site of the crucifixion of the apostle. In 1974, a grandiose cathedral named after him, known throughout the world, was erected here.

Andrew the First-Called: what are they praying for?

Andrew the First-Called is the patron saint of Ukraine and Russia, as well as other countries located on the territory where he preached: these are modern Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Asia Minor. He also patronizes fishermen and sailors. Andreevsky battle banner is known all over the world: since the 17th century it has been the state flag of the Russian navy. Andrew the First-Called is prayed for conversion to the holy faith, for success in the defense of the fatherland, for the well-being of seafarers.

From the Holy Tradition, there are cases not only of trouble-free healing, but also of the resurrection of people by Andrew: like other apostles, he repeatedly used the gift of Christ and brought people back to life. Therefore, he can pray for healing from diseases.

At the site of his martyrdom, a spring filled with water, which has the property of healing. Now there is a huge cathedral named after him. Glorious for its splendor, it was built for almost 60 years.

Prayer to Andrew the First-Called

Prayer honors the memory of St. Andrew the First-Called. Believers pray for healing and health.

Prayer to Saint Andrew the First-Called

First-Called Apostle of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Supreme Follower of the Church, All-Praised Andrew! We glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, we sweetly remember your blessed coming to us, we bless your honest suffering, even if you suffered for Christ, we kiss your sacred relics, we honor your holy memory and believe that the Lord lives, your soul lives, and with him forever in heaven abide, even if you do not leave us with your love, as if you loved these are our fathers, when by the Holy Spirit you foresaw the conversion of our land to Christ. We believe, as if praying to God for us, in vain in the light of His all our needs. We confess our faith in your temple, both the Lord and the God and the Savior of our Jesus Christ pray, and the whole prayers will give us all the sinners to save us: even as you were an abye to the voice of the Lord, left your halt, it was steadily followed by the Sitsy and Kijdo from us, and it’s not about the chaos, but it is close to the creation of it. Yes, let him think. 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 forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion to Andrew the First-Called

Like the apostles, the first-called and supreme brother of the Lord of all, Andrew, pray, grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion to Andrew the First-Called

Voice 2

Let us praise the courage of the namesake diviner and the Church’s superintendent, Petrov’s relative, for as long ago and now we call: come, find the Desired One.

Briefly examining the biography of Andrew the First-Called, we see a courageous man, fearless in the face of inhuman trials: preaching among wild, barbaric peoples was doubly courageous, if we recall the customs of wild pagans. But the love of Christ burned in his heart, and therefore today we are enlightened by the faith of Christ. Let us appreciate the merits of our patron, and remember his life, which is so instructive for us.

Fishing requires diligence, patience and... humility. If today there is no result, then who is to blame? We must come tomorrow, calmly and confidently move towards our goal. The net-casting fishermen made up the majority of those whom Christ called to follow Him to spread the Good News throughout the world. The teacher called the Galilean fisherman Andrei the first.

Waters of Scripture

The Bible story is full of water. Already the second verse of Genesis says: "The Spirit of God hovered over the waters." Later there were flood waters that covered the whole earth. The waters of the sea parted before Moses and swallowed up the Egyptians. The long-awaited rain according to the prayers of the prophet Elijah. The geography and symbolism of the New Testament is largely built around water. In the waters of the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended on Christ in the form of a dove. Most of the 12 apostles were fishermen. On the waters of the raging lake, the Lord walked to His disciples. And the words of Christ about water that can quench thirst forever, which changed the life of a simple Samaritan woman, are called to change the life of each of us.

Sea of ​​Kinneref (Num. 34:11; Deut. 3:17) or Hinnaroth (Josh. 11:2), Hinneref (Josh. 12:3; 13:27) or Tiberias (Jn. 21:1) Sea, Lake of Gennesaret (Lk. 5:1) is today Lake Kinneret. But for us, its most familiar name is the Sea of ​​Galilee. It serves as a flowing basin for the Jordan River on its way to the Dead Sea. The ancients believed that the Jordan cuts the lake in half and passes through without mixing with its waters. From a boat on the Sea of ​​Galilee, Christ preached to the people gathered on the shore, on it he tamed a sudden storm that broke out, walked on its waters (see: Matt. 4: 13-17; 8: 24-26; Mark 4: 37-41; Luke 8: 23-25, etc.). The size of the lake is small: only about 20 km long and 13 wide. Therefore, it was called the sea solely for its historical significance.

The Lord chose for Himself very "unexpected", according to our - human - understanding, disciples - fishermen

During the earthly life of Christ here was the industrial center of Palestine; The shores of the lake were built up with cities, and the waters were filled with numerous ships: Roman warships, gilded galleys from the palace of Herod, boats of Bethsaid fishermen ... The lake was famous for its abundance of fish, so many local residents were engaged in fishing. Their already difficult work was further complicated by the climatic features of the area: in the summer, in the lowland where the lake was located (and its coast is one of the lowest land areas on Earth), there was an unbearable, suffocating heat, and in winter, fierce storms swooped in, threatening the death of fishermen.

"catchers of men"

On the shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee and in coastal cities, Jesus Christ spent most of His earthly ministry. The Sea of ​​Galilee is mentioned in all four Gospels.

And as he was passing near the Sea of ​​Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, throwing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen, and he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:18-20).

St. Nicholas of Serbia (Velimirovich) reflects on why the Lord called fishermen in particular: “If Christ had acted like a human being, He would have chosen as apostles not twelve fishermen, but twelve kings of the earth. If He only wanted to immediately see the success of His work and reap the fruits of His labors, He could, by His irresistible power, baptize the twelve most powerful kings on earth and make them His followers and apostles. Just imagine how the name of Christ would be instantly spread throughout the world!” But the Lord chose for Himself very "unexpected", according to our - human - understanding, disciples. The fishermen were among the poorest and most uneducated people. Daily hard work did not bring excess, but only the most necessary. All they had was nets and boats that were constantly in need of repair.

“They are accustomed not to lead and order, but to work and obey. They are not proud of anything, their hearts are full of humility before the will of God. But, although they are simple fishermen, their souls yearn for as much truth and truth as possible,” wrote St. Nicholas of Serbia.

And to whom, if not to them, the words of Christ about the net thrown into the sea were most understandable: “Like the Kingdom of Heaven is a net thrown into the sea and capturing fish of every kind, which, when it was full, they dragged it ashore and sat down, gathered the good into vessels, and threw the bad out” (Matt. 13: 47-48).

“How wise that He began building His kingdom not from kings, but from fishermen! It is good and saving for us, who live two thousand years after His work on earth, that during His earthly life He did not reap the fruits of His labor! He did not want, like a giant, to immediately transplant a huge tree into the ground, but, like a simple farmer, he wanted to bury the seed of a tree in the underground darkness and go home. And so He did. Not only into the darkness of ordinary Galilean fishermen, but into the darkness until Adam himself, the Lord buried the seed of the Tree of Life and left” (St. Nicholas of Serbia).

The tree grew slowly. Often Christ faced misunderstanding not only of "outer" people, but also of his closest disciples. Remember their argument about who will be the first in the Kingdom of Heaven (see Mark 10:35-45). Or the words of Christ addressed to the apostles: “How then do you not understand?” (Mk. 8:21) and “Are you also so dumb?” (Mark 7:18). But having heard the call of Christ, Andrew and Peter immediately, without hesitation, left the nets and followed Him. The hearts of the two brothers were already so determined in the choice of good that they, like children, innocently and trustingly followed the Teacher, as if they had been waiting all their lives for this call: "I will make you fishers of men."

“The Lord knows their hearts: like children, these fishermen believe in God and obey the laws of God” (St. Nicholas of Serbia).

"Hunted, but not abandoned"

Surprisingly little is known about the earthly life of the First-Called Apostle. The Apostle Andrew had a Greek name meaning "courageous." He was born on the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret, in Bethsaida. He was the brother of Simon, later named Peter and who became the Chief Apostle. Andrew once left his nets and followed the prophet who preached in the Jordan. But as soon as John the Baptist pointed to Christ as the strongest himself, Andrew left John and followed Christ. So the Lord called his first apostle to serve. The meeting at the Sea of ​​Galilee was somewhat later.

St. John Chrysostom in his “Eulogy to the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called” said: “Andrew remembered now, when he found the Lord of all as a kind of treasure of light, he exclaimed, turning to his brother Peter: “We have found the Messiah.” Oh, the excellence of brotherly love! Oh, the reverse of order! Andrew after Peter was born into life and was the first to lead Peter to the Gospel - and how he caught him: "We have found," he said, "the Messiah." It was said with joy, it was the gospel of the found object combined with joy.

Very little information about the Apostle Andrew can be gleaned from the Gospel: it is known that it was he who pointed Christ to a boy with five loaves and two fish, which were then miraculously multiplied in order to feed the listeners of the new teaching. And he and Philip led some Hellenes to Christ, and together with the three chosen disciples of Christ - Peter, James and John - he was a participant in the Savior's conversation on the Mount of Olives about the coming end of the world (see: Mark 13: 3). Andrew the First-Called, among the 12 apostles, was present at the Last Supper and at the appearances of Christ to the disciples after the Resurrection, as well as at the Ascension of the Savior (see: Acts 1: 13). He, along with everyone, participated in the selection of the twelfth apostle instead of Judas Iscariot and was present at the descent of the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost (see: Acts 2: 1).

According to ancient Christian tradition, after Pentecost, the apostles cast lots, in accordance with which they went to preach the Gospel in different countries. The Apostle Andrew got the vast lands of Bithynia and Propontis, Thrace and Macedonia, stretching to the Black Sea and the Danube, Scythia and Thessaly, Hellas and Achaia.

How far north did the apostle Andrew go in his wanderings, bringing the gospel message to the pagans?

The first field of his apostolic ministry was the coast of Pontus Euxinus (“Hospitable Sea”), that is, the Black Sea. It is almost impossible to say exactly how far north the Apostle Andrew went in his wanderings, bringing the gospel message to the pagans. Origen, who lived in the first half of the 3rd century, clearly stated that Scythia was part of the apostolic lot of St. Andrew. The entire subsequent Byzantine tradition (from the "Church History" of Eusebius of Caesarea up to the Monthly Basil II) also shared this opinion. "Scythia" was the land to the north of the northern coast of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas, that is, it is the territory of modern Crimea, Ukraine, the Black Sea coast of Russia - the Kuban, the Rostov region, Kalmykia, and partly the lands of the Caucasus and Kazakhstan.

There is another, ancient Christian, tradition that outlines the territory of the apostolic ministry of St. Andrew the First-Called in a different way. According to the text of the apocryphal "Andrew's Acts", dating back to the 2nd century and restored on the basis of the "Book of Miracles" by Gregory of Tours, the apostle began preaching the Gospel on the southern coast of the Black Sea, moving through Pontus and Bithynia to the west. According to this tradition, Andrew the First-Called visited Amasia, Sinope, Nicaea and Nicomedia, crossed over to Byzantium (the future Constantinople) and ended up in Thrace, and from there to Macedonia, where he visited the cities of Philippi and Thessalonica. Then he went to Achaia, where he visited the cities of Patras, Corinth and Megara.

Almost everywhere the Apostle Andrew was persecuted by the pagans, endured sorrows and sufferings. Such a fate befell each of the twelve. The Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Corinthians wrote: “We are oppressed on every side, but we are not constrained; we are in desperate circumstances, but we do not despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; overthrown, but we do not perish. We always carry in our body the deadness of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

The First-Called Apostle endured all the disasters “with delight”, working for the glory of Christ: “The tribes of men, even if I did not know the True God, brought you, apostle, to the quiet haven of Christ and those hearts, like a fragile boat, overwhelmed by unbelief, on the anchor of the Orthodox faith, you established you” and “with an inspired word, as if I know, people caught be to Christ."

The apostolic ministry of Andrew the First-Called was accompanied by numerous miracles, healings and resurrections from the dead.

None of the 12 apostles is so tangibly present in the history of Russia throughout its entire course, as the apostle Andrew

In the city of Patras on the Peloponnese peninsula, the Apostle Andrew converted the wife of the proconsul Egeates Maximilla and his brother to Christianity, gathering around him a large Christian community. Here, in the city of Patras, the apostle was martyred. Seeing the instrument of his execution, the First-Called Apostle, according to his life, exclaimed: “O cross, consecrated by my Lord and Master, I salute you, an image of horror! You, after He died on you, became a sign of joy and love!” For the execution, a cross was chosen in the form of the letter X, which is now called Andreevsky.

According to legend, the ruler Aegeat, in order to prolong the torment of the apostle, ordered not to nail him to the cross, but to tie him by the hands and feet. When the apostle had been on the cross for two days in torment, preaching tirelessly, unrest began among the people who listened to him. The people demanded that the apostle be pardoned and removed from the cross. The ruler, fearing confusion, decided to comply with the requirements. But the determination of Andrew the First-Called to accept martyrdom was unshakable. The Life reports that when the holy apostle died, the cross lit up with a bright radiance.

Today, on the site of the crucifixion of the First-Called Apostle, next to the source that clogged after his death, stands the majestic Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called - the largest Orthodox church in Greece.

"Russian Apostle"

The earthly path of the Apostle Andrew ended approximately in the 70s of the 1st century. But the seed of the Tree of Life continued to grow. Nine centuries later, it also sprouted on the banks of the Dnieper. “The word about the manifestation of the Baptism of the Russian Land of the Holy Apostle Andrew, which he came to Russia”, included in the “Tale of Bygone Years”, tells that the Apostle Andrew went up the Dnieper and lit up the place on which the city of Kiev was later built, and even (which, however, is called into even greater doubt) reached the Novgorod land.

“And the Dnieper will flow into the Ponets Sea like a chute; hedgehog the sea will speak Russian, according to him St. Ondrei, brother Petrov, taught.

Pointing to the place where Kyiv would later be founded, the apostle Andrew, according to legend, said: “Do you see these mountains? As if on these mountains the grace of God will shine, to have a great city of being and many churches, God will raise up to have.

Peter the Great laid an ark with a particle of the relics of the Apostle Andrew at the foundation of the Peter and Paul Fortress

According to the chronicle legend, the apostle climbed these mountains, blessed them and erected a cross. According to legend, in the 13th century, a church was built on this site in the name of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. And in 1749-1754, by order of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, a temple was built on this legendary site in the name of the First-Called Apostle himself. The amazing beauty of St. Andrew's Church invariably attracts all the guests of Kyiv. It is located on the right bank of the Dnieper, above the historical part of the city - Podil, on Andreevsky Descent, connecting the upper city with the lower one.

It is impossible to prove or disprove the legends about the “walking” of the Apostle Andrew through the Russian lands. Many historians, both secular and ecclesiastical, are rather skeptical about them. So, A.V. Kartashev in "Essays on the History of the Russian Church" wrote: "Without direct data to completely reject the tradition of St. Andrew, coming from such a deep antiquity, and interpreting it geographically so far in accordance with the opinion prevailing in science, we, without the violence of a scientific conscience, can assume that the First-Called Apostle, if he was not in the countries north of the Black Sea, could be in Georgia and Abkhazia, and perhaps in the Crimea ... ”But with accuracy we can say one thing: the image of the First-Called Apostle, whether or not his feet stepped on the lands of our Fatherland, became the foundation on which to now stands Orthodox Russia.

We dare to say that none of the 12 apostles is so tangibly present in the history of Russia throughout its entire length as the Apostle Andrew.

Already in the XI century in Rus', the First-Called Apostle was deeply revered. This is confirmed by the fact that in 1030 the youngest son of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Vsevolod Yaroslavich, was baptized with the name Andrey, and in 1086 he founded the Andreevsky (Yanchin) monastery in Kiev, which is the first Russian convent mentioned in chronicles.

The apostle was especially revered in the Novgorod land. At the end of the 11th century, the first church in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called was built in Novgorod. In the preface to the life of the Novgorod saint, St. Michael of Klopsky, compiled with the blessing of Archbishop Macarius in 1537, it is said about the rod of St. Andrew the First-Called: after the Baptism of Russia, “in the place where the holy apostle hoisted his rod, the temple is delivered in the name of the holy apostle Andrei and in it is a priceless and honest treasure - a multi-healing rod - it is supposed, about him but many and inscrutable miracles will manifest themselves, and to this day we see it by everyone.

In the second half of the 16th century, “A short story about the creation of the holy monastery of the divine Transfiguration of the Lord God our Savior Jesus Christ on Valaam and partly a story about the venerable holy fathers of the same monastery, the head of Sergius and Herman, and about the bringing of their holy relics” was compiled, which refers to the visit of the Apostle Andrew to Valaam.

The Kiev Council of 1621 even testified: “The Holy Apostle Andrew is the first Archbishop of Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Apostle of Russia, and his feet stood on the Kiev mountains, and his eyes saw Russia and his lips favored.”

Apostle Andrew, brother of the First Supreme Apostle Peter, the heavenly patron of St. Petersburg, is also the intercessor of this city: on the day of the founding of the northern capital - the feast of the Holy Trinity on May 16/27, 1703 - Peter the Great laid an ark with a particle of the relics of the Apostle Andrew at the foundation of the fortress.

The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called became the highest order of the state. This is the first and most famous Russian order. Until 1917 - the highest award of the Russian Empire, and since 1998 - the Russian Federation. The order was established by Peter I in 1698 or 1699. According to the draft statute of the order, drawn up in 1720 by Peter I, it should be awarded “as a reward and reward to one for loyalty, courage and various services rendered to us and the fatherland, and to others for encouragement in all noble and heroic virtues, for nothing encourages and ignites human piety and love of glory as much as clear signs and retribution visible for virtue.”

Most of the 12 apostles were fishermen. But it was the First-Called Apostle who became the patron saint of the Russian navy. When establishing the Russian navy, Peter I chose the image of the blue oblique St. Andrew's Cross for its banner. He personally drafted the flag, and, according to legend, “Peter the Great, who fell asleep at night at his desk, was awakened by the morning sun, the rays of which, breaking through the frozen mica windows, fell on a white sheet of paper with a bluish diagonal cross. The light of the sun and the color of the sea - this is what the St. Andrew's flag symbolizes.

In 1718, in the church of St. Andrew the Apostle in Kronstadt, the rite of consecrating the St. Andrew's flag was performed for the first time, which began to flutter over the ship "St. Nicholas" and the frigate "Eagle".

The flag with the St. Andrew's Cross is flying again today, after decades of atheistic oppression, over Russian warships.

"Jesus Boat"

In the winter of 1986, after a long summer drought, the water level in Lake Galilee dropped sharply. The southeastern shore was exposed. Two young people - local fishermen - noticed things of obviously ancient origin in the silt - pieces of the ship's plank sheathing. At that moment, a double rainbow shone in the sky. The young men reported the find to the archaeological service. Work began on removing the boat from the silt.

This artifact began to be called the "Jesus boat"

The vessel turned out to be quite large: its length is 8 meters, and its width is 2.3 meters. Such a boat could accommodate 13 people. Studies have shown that 12 types of wood were used in the construction: cedar, pine, cypress, etc. It was made by ordinary people who used every board that was at their disposal.

Today, scientists are unanimous in determining the time of construction and the collapse of the boat - the beginning of the 1st century AD. It was on such boats that the fishermen sailed, who hunted for fish on the Lake of Galilee.

The found boat - a unique and the only ship of that era and culture - is stored in a special museum on the shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee. The artifact began to be called the "boat of Jesus." Some refer to her age. Others - assuming its direct relation to the New Testament history.

The first miracle of the Savior is the transformation of water into wine. The last miracle, which marked the end of Christ's earthly ministry, is also associated with water - blood and water poured out of His pierced rib. John Chrysostom noted: “It is not without meaning and not by chance that these sources have expired, but because the Church is composed of both. Those who are initiated into the mysteries know this: they are reborn by water, and they feed on blood and flesh. And the blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria continued: “The blood shows that the Crucified One is a man, and the water, that He is higher than a man, namely, God.”

The apostle John proclaimed: “And three bear witness on earth: the spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three are one” (1 John 5:8).

Let us prayerfully hope that the Lord, through the intercession of His First-Called Apostle, will not deprive us of a place in His boat and “a source of water flowing into eternal life.”

How is the rating calculated?
◊ The rating is calculated based on the points accrued in the last week
◊ Points are awarded for:
⇒ visiting pages dedicated to the star
⇒ vote for a star
⇒ star commenting

Biography, life story of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called

Apostle Andrew the First-Called is one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. The First-Called Andrew received his nickname due to the fact that he became the very first called disciple of Christ.

Origin, early years

Born at the beginning of the 1st century AD in Bethsaida, a small town located in the north of Lake Galilee. Andrew is the brother of the Apostle Peter (originally his name was Simon). Their father's name was Jonah. Before becoming a disciple of Jesus, Andrew was a fisherman, just like his brother.

Andrei and Peter spent their childhood in their native Bethsaida. As adults, they moved to Capernaum, equipped their own house and seriously engaged in fishing, providing for themselves.

Andrei began to think about devoting his life to serving God in his youth. Being quite young, he flatly refused to look for a wife, deciding to maintain chastity in the name of a lofty goal. As soon as Andrey heard rumors that on the Jordan River John the Baptist (John the Baptist) calls the people to sincere repentance and assures that the Messiah will visit them soon, Andrey left the house, gave up fishing and immediately sent to the river. He soon became John's most devoted and closest disciple.

gospels

Andrew the First-Called is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark, in the Gospel of Luke, in the Gospel of Matthew, in the Gospel of John, and also in the Acts of the Holy Apostles.

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark say that the calling of Andrew and his brother Peter took place at the same time not far from the Lake of Galilee. The Gospel of John also states that the calling of Andrew happened near the Jordan immediately after the baptism of Jesus Christ. The same biography says that Andrew was originally a disciple of John the Baptist. In the Gospel of John, Andrew appears twice: during a conversation with Jesus about fish and bread before five thousand people were magically fed, and during the conduct of the Greeks to Christ in company with the apostle Philip.

Historians know two more texts about Andrew: the apocryphal text "Acts of Andrew", created around the 3rd century, as well as the Gospel of Andrew, which was rejected by Gelasius I and subsequently irretrievably lost.

CONTINUED BELOW

Meeting of Andrew the First-Called and Jesus Christ

Evangelists John and Matthew described the moment of the meeting between Andrew and Jesus in different ways. The Gospel of Matthew says that Christ discovered Andrew and Peter when they were fishing in the Lake of Gennesaret. Jesus told the brothers to follow him. The men obeyed him and dropped their nets. John claims that Peter saw Jesus Christ when John the Baptist, pointing at him with his hand, shouted that, they say, here comes our savior. Hearing these words, Andrew left John the Baptist and followed Jesus. A little later Andrew found his brother and brought him to Christ.

Andrew the First-Called was very close to Jesus. To Andrew and three other apostles, Jesus revealed the fate of the world. Having received such an unprecedented honor, Andrew the First-Called began to serve Christ even more faithfully. He followed on his heels and was always by his side until his very last day on earth. According to the evangelists, it was the Apostle Andrew who witnessed the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (in religion this day is called Pentecost), a real miracle happened in Jerusalem - the Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the form of flames and engulfed the apostles, after which they not only remained alive, but also began to possess the gift of healing, the gift of prophecy and the ability to speak freely in all languages.

Teachings of Christ from the lips of Andrew the First-Called

After the apostles were endowed with superhuman strength to attract the pagan people to the teachings of Christ, they decided to divide the countries among themselves by lot. Apostle Andrew the Primordial got the lands of Bithynia, Propontis, Thrace, Macedonia, Scythia, Thessaly, Hellas, Achaia and several other cities. The brave Andrew the First-Called went around all these places, carrying his sermon and urging people to turn to God. Almost everywhere people met him with discontent, he was driven out of the cities, Andrei had to endure many humiliations, insults and even cruel tortures, but sincere faith helped him endure all hardships.

Miracles

Andrew the First-Called, possessing the gift of resurrection of the dead, repeatedly demonstrated his ability in public, proving to people his right to the word of God. So, historians highlight several striking cases of the miraculous resurrection of the dead by the apostle Andrew:

1. City of Amaseev. A certain Demetrius asked Andrew to help return his son Egyptius, who had died of a fever. The apostle complied with the request and the boy came to life.

2. City of Nicomedia. Local residents buried a boy who had been literally torn to shreds by dogs. Apostle Andrew the First-Called was able to resurrect the unfortunate and give him life.

3. City of Thessaloniki. In full view of the inhabitants of the city, Andrey brought back to life a child who had died of suffocation. In the same place, he resurrected another little boy who died from the bite of a poisonous snake.

4. City of Patras. Andrew resurrected a drowned man who was thrown ashore, who later turned out to be the son of Sostratus, a resident of Macedonia, who sank on a ship. Sostratus, seeing what a miracle the apostle had performed, asked him to resurrect his friends and servants, who were also on the ship. Andrew the First-Called began to read a prayer and soon almost forty more people were thrown out of the sea. The apostle indicated to put the bodies in one place and resurrected them all at once.

5. City of Sinop. A local woman found her husband's body in a hole. Heartbroken, she turned to Andrew for help. He brought the man back to life.

demise

Of course, despite the miracles and Andrei's confidence that he was right, there were those on his way who considered him a deceiver and a fool. This is what happened in the city of Patras around the 70th year of the 1st century. A local ruler named Egeat ordered his servants to catch Andrew the First-Called and crucify him on a cross. The Apostle Andrew was not afraid of the fate that awaited him, but, on the contrary, was glad that he would have to accept death in the name of Jesus Christ, his Savior. He even chose a cross for himself - a little beveled, since the apostle did not consider himself worthy to die on the same cross as Jesus. Then the angry Egeat figured out how to punish Andrei. He ordered not to nail his hands and feet to the cross, but simply to tie them with ropes. So, thought Egeat, the apostle will die for a very long time, experiencing terrible torment. But even this did not turn Andrew the First-Called from his duty. For two days he preached straight from the cross. The people listened to him, heeded his words, and as a result they unanimously demanded that the execution be stopped and the apostle be released. Aegeates, fearing that the people might overthrow him, hurried to grant their request, but nothing came of it. Andrew the First-Called so badly wanted to die for the sake of Christ that the ropes would not be untied in any way. As a result, Egeat abandoned attempts to cope with Andrei.

At the time of the death of Andrew the First-Called, the cross lit up with the brightest radiance. Many years later, at the site of the death of the most faithful apostle of Christ, a spring with the purest water clogged.

Video of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called

the site (hereinafter referred to as the Site) searches for videos (hereinafter referred to as the Search) posted on video hosting YouTube.com (hereinafter - Video hosting). Image, statistics, title, description and other information related to the video are presented below (hereinafter - Video Information) in as part of the search. Sources of Video information are listed below (hereinafter - Sources)...

Photos of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called

POPULAR NEWS

Interesting article! The icon of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called should be in every home. Saint Andrew will be your protector and guardian of your home.

2017-05-18 13:33:54

On December 13, the Church celebrates the feast day of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. "Orthodox Life" has prepared some interesting facts about the life of the apostle.

Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Byzantium. Greece. Macedonia. 14th century Location: USA, Baltimore, Walters Art Museum

1. When did the apostle Andrew first see Jesus Christ?

Andrew was born in Vivsaida, was the son of Jonah and the brother of the Apostle Peter. Together with his brother, they were fishermen. Learning that John the Baptist was preaching in the Jordan and talking about the coming of the Messiah, Andrew went to the Jordan and became a disciple of John the Baptist. There are differences in the description of the meeting of the Apostle Andrew with the Savior by the evangelists Matthew and John. John tells us that Andrew saw the Savior for the first time when the holy Forerunner pointed to the walking Jesus Christ “Behold the Lamb of God”, Matthew - that the Savior met the brothers on the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret when they were fishing and turned to them with the words: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In both cases, the Apostle Andrew implicitly believes in Christ and makes a decision without delay or doubt. He leaves his home, household, nets and, without hesitation, follows Christ ...

The calling of Simon and Andrew to the apostolic ministry (Mark 1:14-18). 11th century One of 72 bronze door plates Cathedral (Duomo di Benevento). 1170-1220 Italy, Benevento

2. What are the episodes in the Gospel associated with the name of the Apostle Andrew?

It was the Apostle Andrew who pointed out to Christ a boy with five loaves and two fish, which were then miraculously multiplied to feed the crowd (John 6:8-9). Together with Philip, he brought to the Savior some Greeks who wanted to worship the true God (John 12:20-22). Also, Andrew was one of the four disciples of Jesus, whom He told on the Mount of Olives about the fate of the world (Mark 13:3).

3. Was the Apostle Andrew in Rus'?

On the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in the form of fiery tongues, and they spoke in different languages. Then the apostles cast lots: who should go to which country to preach. Andrew got the lands of Bethany and Propontis, the lands of Thrace and Macedonia, as well as the lands of Thessaly and Scythia. He went through all these countries, preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.

How far in his wanderings the apostle went north is not exactly known. A later legend has survived that he went up the Dnieper and consecrated the place on which the city of Kyiv was later built. And also got to the Novgorod land and was surprised at the custom of the Slavs to bathe in a bath. The visit of the Apostle Andrew to the Russian land is described in the "Sermon on Law and Grace" (1051) of the Kyiv Metropolitan Hilarion, as well as in the "Tale of Bygone Years".

Apostle Andrew the First-Called, mosaic "Christ and 12 Apostles", fragment. 6th century Italy. Ravenna. Basilica of San Vitale. Altar

4. Who erected a cross on the Kyiv mountains?

According to legend, the Apostle Andrew, having decided to go from Korsun to Rome, climbed up the Dnieper and stopped for the night on the Kyiv mountains. Getting up in the morning, he said: - Believe me, the grace of God will shine on these mountains, a great city will be here, and the Lord will erect many churches there and enlighten all this land with holy baptism. Then the saint blessed the mountains and erected a cross.

5. To what last city did the apostle Andrew visit?

Apostle Andrew suffered a lot from the pagans on his way. He was expelled from the cities, stoned to death. But he still relentlessly continued to preach about the Savior, performed miracles. The last city where St. Andrew came and where he was destined to accept a martyr's death was the city of Patras. There he also performed many miracles, tirelessly and ardently preached. Almost all citizens of the city converted to Christianity. But the ruler Aegeat remained a pagan. He then ordered the execution of the apostle.

6. How did they want to save the apostle from martyrdom?

When the holy apostle was placed in prison, the people turned to him. They wanted to kill Egeat and free Andrew from prison. But the apostle restrained them, saying: - Do not turn the world of our Lord Jesus Christ into a devilish rebellion. Our Lord, being betrayed to death, showed all patience, did not contradict, did not cry out. Therefore, you are silent and be calm.

Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles; Byzantium, Constantinople; XIV century; Location: Russia. Moscow. State Museum of the History of Art. A.S. Pushkin

7. How did the apostle Andrew die?

Enraged, Egeat ordered to crucify St. Andrew on the cross, tying his hands and feet so that the apostle would not die immediately, but would suffer for a long time. For the execution, an oblique cross in the shape of the letter X was chosen (why such a cross is now called St. Andrew's). About 20 thousand gathered on the square, people exclaimed: - The holy man suffers unjustly! Saint Andrew continued to preach from the cross. He taught that temporary suffering must be endured. "After all, no torment is worth anything in comparison with the reward that will be for him!"

On the second day, the people surrounded the house of Egeat and demanded that the apostle be taken down from the cross. - A holy, honest, meek and wise man should not suffer like this! Egeat was afraid of popular unrest. And immediately went after them to free Andrey. - Lord, do not let me be taken down from the cross! – Andrey has exclaimed, - accept my spirit with the world! Many people tried to untie him from the cross, and could not. Their hands became dead. Then a bright light shone. So it was impossible to watch. This heavenly light shone for half an hour, and then, when dissipated, the apostle gave up his spirit.

On the site of the crucifixion of the holy apostle in Patras, the majestic Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called, the largest in Greece, was erected. It contains the cross on which the holy apostle was crucified.

Prayer to the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called

First-Called Apostle of God and Savior Jesus Christ to the Church, supreme follower, all-praise Andrew, we glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, we sweetly remember your blessed coming to us, we bless your honest suffering, even for Christ you endured, we kiss your sacred relics, we honor your holy memory and believe that your Lord lives, your soul is alive and with Him forever in Heaven and even if you love us with love, you loved us with it, when by the Holy Spirit you saw our conversion to Christ, and not just love, but also pray to God for us, in vain in His Light all our needs. This is how we believe and this is how we confess our faith in the temple, even in your name, Saint Andrew, gloriously created, where your holy relics rest; believing, we ask and pray to the Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, that by your prayers, even if he always listens and accepts, he will give us all that is necessary for the salvation of us sinners; yes, as if you were abie according to the voice of the Lord, leave your nether, you followed him steadily, so that everyone from us is looking not for his own, but for the creation of his neighbor and for the high calling, let him think. Having thee an intercessor and a prayer book for us, we hope that my 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 forever and ever. Amen.