November 30
Saint Andrew the Apostle
Apostle of Christ, Martyr
(Around 5 – Around 60)
“Welcome, O good cross, made beautiful by Christ’s body!”
Saint Andrew the Apostle’s words when he saw the cross on which he was to die
Coming November 1, 2024 on Amazon
Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life as a Fisherman
Andrew the Apostle was born around 5 AD in Bethsaida, in Galilee, Israel to Jonah, their fisherman father. He was the brother of the Apostle Peter. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and became the first to follow Jesus. He is called the Protokletos (the First Called) because he was the first Apostle to be summoned by Jesus into His service. A fisherman like Saint Peter, Saint Andrew first introduced Saint Peter to Christ. Both occupied the same house at Capernaum.
Called by Jesus
At first, the two brothers continued to carry on their fishing trade and family affairs, but later, the Lord called them to stay with Him all the time. He promised to make them “fishers of men”. At this time, Andrew left his nets for good.
As one of the Twelve Apostles, Andrew was very close to Our Lord during His public life. Andrew told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes. Andrew was one of the four disciples who came to Jesus on the Mount of Olives to ask about the signs of Jesus’ return at the “end of the age”. Andrew was present at the Last Supper.
His Life After Jesus’ Crucifixion
Andrew beheld the risen Lord and witnessed the Ascension. He shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost. Andrew helped, amid threats and persecution, to establish the Faith in Palestine. After Our Lord ascended into Heaven, Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel.
Traveled and Preached
According to the Chronicle of Nestor, Andrew preached along the Black Sea and the Dnieper river as far as Kiev. From there, he traveled to Novgorod, Russia. Hence, he became a patron saint of Russia, Ukraine and Romania. Apostle Andrew is reported to have had missions in Thrace, Scythia and Achaea.
“St. Andrew’s Cross”
Andrew was crucified by order of the Roman Governor at Patras in southern Greece on a cross to which he was tied, not nailed. Tradition states that he requested to be crucified on a saltire or “x”-shaped cross, as he considered himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus had been. This type of cross has long been known as “St. Andrew’s cross.” He was martyred during the reign of Nero, on November 30, 60 A.D in Patras, Greece.
St Andrew the Apostle’s relics are kept in Saint Andrew of Patras Cathedral.
His Relics
St. Andrew’s relics were transferred from Patras to Constantinople, and deposited in the church of the Apostles there, about 357 A.D. When Constantinople was taken by the French, in the beginning of the thirteenth century, Cardinal Peter of Capua brought the relics to Italy and placed them in the cathedral of Amalfi, where most of them still remain.
Andrew is also considered to be a patron of Scotland, where another tradition says some of his relics where brought in the 4th century in consequence of a dream of Saint Rule (Regulus), who was custodian of Andrew’s relics at Patras. Reportedly an angel guided Rule to a place called Saint Andrew’s, where Regulus built a church to house the relics, became its first bishop, and evangelized the Scots in the area for three decades. The church became a center of pilgrimage.
Saint Andrew is generally pictured as an old man, generally with a book and transverse or saltire cross.
Born: Around 5 AD in Bethsaida, in Galilee, Israel
Died: November 30, 60 in Patras, Greece
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: November 30, May 9 (translation of relics), December 13 (Ukraine)
Patron Saint: Children; Fishermen; Greece; Romania; Russia; Sailors; Scotland; Ukraine
Source:
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- Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (catholicfire.blogspot.com)
- CatholicSaints.Info – CatholicSaints.Info – Andrew the Apostle by Katherine I Rabenstein. Saints of the Day, 1998
- Andrew the Apostle – Wikipedia
Reflection
Saint Andrew’s journey as an apostle began when he was called by Jesus while he was a fisherman by the Sea of Galilee. According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was initially a disciple of John the Baptist. Upon hearing John refer to Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” Andrew immediately followed Jesus, demonstrating his readiness to embrace the truth and to seek out the Messiah. Through our baptism, Jesus has called each one of us to be “fishers of men.”
How open are you to Jesus call in your life to be “fishers of men”? Through prayer, we can follow Andrew’s powerful example of his willingness to trust in the Jesus to put you on the right path for your holy journey.
Prayers
St. Andrew the Apostle,
When you saw the cross on which you were to die, you exclaimed: ”Welcome, O good cross, made beautiful by Christ’s body!”
Saint Andrew help us recognize and accept our particular cross generously during our all events of our life’s journey.
Teach us how to lead others, solely out of love for Jesus and dedication in His service.
Help us to learn the lesson of the Cross and carry our daily crosses without complaint, so that they may carry us to God the Almighty Father.
Saint Andrew the Apostle, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – Did St. Andrew the Apostle erect a cross in Kyiv?
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Andrew the Apostle
Anastpaul – Saint of the Day – 30 November – St Andrew, Apostle of Christ, Martyr
Catholic Culture – Andrew, the Protoclete
Catholic Exchange – St. Andrew
Catholic Ireland – Nov 30 St Andrew, Apostle
Catholic News Agency – St. Andrew, Apostle Feast Day: Nov 30
Catholic Online – St. Andrew the Apostle
CatholicSaints.info – Saint Andrew the Apostle
Franciscan Media – Saint Andrew
Loyola Press – Saint Andrew Feast Day November 30
My Catholic Life – Saint Andrew the Apostle
New Advent – MacRory, J. (1907). St. Andrew. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Newman Ministry – Saint Andrew the Apostle
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St Andrew, Apostle, Patron of Scotland
Saint for a Minute – Saint Andrew The Apostle
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Andrew (1st century)
Saint of the Day – November 30 St. Andrew the Apostle
uCatholic – Saint Andrew the Apostle
Video Links
St Andrew the Apostle – YouTube Video (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network – USA)