St. Andrew was one of the apostles appointed by Christ. The son of Jonah, or John (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42), Andrew was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44). He was brother of Simon Peter (Matthew 10:2; John 1:40). Both were fishermen (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16), and at the beginning of Jesus's public life occupied the same house at Capernaum (Mark 1:21, 29).
From the Gospel of John, we learn that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and the beloved disciple to follow Jesus (John 1:35-40). Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and hurried to introduce Jesus to Peter (1:41). The two brothers became disciples of Christ. The Synoptic Gospels relate Jesus’ call of the brothers, who left everything to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; Matthew 4:19-20; Mark 1:17-18).
In the Gospels, Andrew is referred to as being present on some important occasions as one of the disciples more closely attached to Jesus (Mark 13:3; John 6:8, 12:22); Acts barely mentions him (1:13).
Eusebius quotes Origen as saying Andrew preached in Asia Minor and in Scythia, along the Black Sea as far as the Volga and Kiev. In this regard he became a patron saint of Romania and Russia. According to tradition, Andrew founded the See of Byzantium in 38 CE, installing Stachys as bishop. This See would later develop into the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Andrew as its Patron Saint.
Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at Patras (Patrae) in Achaea, on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (X-shaped cross) and commonly known as "St. Andrew's cross," at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ was crucified. Saint Andrew is the patron of Patras.
From the Gospel of John, we learn that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and the beloved disciple to follow Jesus (John 1:35-40). Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and hurried to introduce Jesus to Peter (1:41). The two brothers became disciples of Christ. The Synoptic Gospels relate Jesus’ call of the brothers, who left everything to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; Matthew 4:19-20; Mark 1:17-18).
In the Gospels, Andrew is referred to as being present on some important occasions as one of the disciples more closely attached to Jesus (Mark 13:3; John 6:8, 12:22); Acts barely mentions him (1:13).
Eusebius quotes Origen as saying Andrew preached in Asia Minor and in Scythia, along the Black Sea as far as the Volga and Kiev. In this regard he became a patron saint of Romania and Russia. According to tradition, Andrew founded the See of Byzantium in 38 CE, installing Stachys as bishop. This See would later develop into the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Andrew as its Patron Saint.
Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at Patras (Patrae) in Achaea, on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (X-shaped cross) and commonly known as "St. Andrew's cross," at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ was crucified. Saint Andrew is the patron of Patras.