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Saint Andrew was the first apostle called by Christ He desired a chaste life and chose to become a disciple of John the Baptist He, together with his brother, the Apostle Peter, heard the call of Jesus when while fishing, Christ said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). So Andrew threw down his net and followed Him. Once, having learned of the imprisonment of his fellow apostle, Matthias (Matthias was the replacement for Judas), with his prayers he released the holy man from his bonds. The hard and impious people of that area planned how they could rid themselves of this miracle worker. After beating him mercilessly, they threw him atop a dung heap and left him to die. However, his patience emulated that of Christ and he endured the cruelty. Christ appeared to him, offering words of encouragement and the healing of his wounds. He told him not to back down from his path of ministering to these people and then ascended back to Heaven. Upon entering joyfully into the city the next morning, many fell at his feet and repented at seeing the miracle of his healing. He baptized many in the name of the Trinity. St Andrew also foresaw the enlightenment of Russia. He even erected a cross there, as a sign of his prophecy. In Patras, the pagan proconsul Aegeates interrogated Andrew. Andrew implored him to please listen to the wisdom of his words but Aegeates refused. He demanded that Andrew worship the lifeless, pagan idols or else be crucified upon a cross like the one that Andrew himself glorified so greatly. They both stated their respective side, back and forth, until Andrew, seeing that the evil man was not going to be swayed, asked that Aegeates give to him the most horrific tortures he could imagine, for it would only serve to please God all the more. Three men took turns beating his stretched body for seven rounds each. After this torture, Aegeates demanded that Andrew turn his back on Christ or else be killed on the cross. Andrew made the man aware that nothing would be better than to imitate Christ's death and that rather than seeing it as a torment, it was pleasing to his ears. He told Aegeates that the only thing that was hurting him was seeing that Aegeates had the ability to save himself, eternally, by taking in his words -- but refused. But the demons grossly overpowered the will of Aegeates as he ordered Andrew to be crucified, despite the rebuking of the people. They bound his hands and feet and hung him, up-side down. Yet, even from the cross, Andrew continued to preach, humbly and faithfully. The faithful witnesses, after two days demanded that he be taken down and from fear of their numbers, Aegeates consented. However, Andrew said that he did not desired to be taken down from the cross alive unless it was to witness the conversion of Aegeates. He, even at this point, urged the man to convert to the True Faith, for one day he would no longer have a choice in the matter. When the people tried to remove him from the cross, they were unable. Christ was granting the wishes of his beloved disciple and was making the hands numb of those trying to release him. Then a brilliant light came down from Heaven and surrounded Andrew. The people were unable to gaze upon him and his soul was taken to his Father. Aegeates wished to avenge himself and planned terrible tortures for all of the faithful who spoke against him during this ordeal. However, he suddenly died in the middle of the city. Throughout Andrew's ministry, he converted Jews and Greeks alike. He baptized many, ordained priests, cleansed lepers and raised the dead. He encouraged almsgiving to the poor and instigated the erection of churches. Many years later, the relics of St Andrew were moved to Constantinople at the command of Constantine the Great, the holy and pious emperor. The Apostle Andrew is celebrated by the Church on November 30th.
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Saints Pistis, Elpis, Agape and Sophia
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