|
HOME> The
Apostles >> St. Andrew <<<YOU ARE HERE. USE THE COMBO MENU
|
|
|
St. Andrew,
the first missionary
|
St. Andrew -
Feast 30th Nov.
St. Andrew is often honored as the first disciple and
first missionary of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like his
brother, Peter, he was also a native of Bethsaida and a
follower of St. John the Baptist. When he heard his master
saying `lamb of God' about Jesus, he left his master till
then to join Lord Jesus. Hence he is known as `protodete'(Greek)
or "protoclitos" (meaning the first called) He became the
first missionary when he brought his own brother to Lord
Jesus. See St. John l: 40-42 Andrew is mentioned in the
Gospels at the feeding of the five thousand and in the
Upper room at Pentecost. It was Andrew who told Christ of
the boy with five loaves and two fish at the feeding of
the five thousand. It was his first local mission work
(John 6:8-9) Andrew, because of the instigation of Philip,
diplomatically handled the situation of dealing with a
group of Gentiles who wanted to meet Jesus, and was thus
the first foreign
missionary. Greeks visiting Jerusalem had approached
Philip about meeting Jesus; Philip was not courageous
enough, but Andrew arranged it (John 12:20-22).
There are various attributions to him of preaching at
different destinations. He is also frequently depicted
with a fishing net, obvious symbol of his occupation as
both fisherman and evangelist Most scholars agree that he
was crucified at Patras in Achaia in AD 62.In the city of
Patras he performed many wonders in the name of Christ and
brought many to the Lord, among whom were the brother and
wife of
the imperial governor, Aegeatus. Aegeatus, infuriated by
this, put Andrew to torture and then crucified him. It is
also believed the Apostle was scourged with rods, and
bound, not nailed, to an X-shaped cross While he was still
alive on the cross, the Apostle of Christ taught the
Christians who were gathered round him. The people wanted
to take him down from the cross, but he would not let
them. Finally, the Apostle prayed to God and a strange
radiance surrounded him. This light lasted for half an
hour and, when it disappeared, the Apostle gave his holy
soul into God's hands. Thus the first-called Apostle, who
first of the twelve Great Apostles came to know the Lord
and followed Him, finishing his earthly course. His relics
were translated to Constantinople, but his head was later
taken to Rome and one hand to Moscow. One famous tradition
claims that he founded a Church at Byzantium, appointing
Stachys as its first Bishop.
Andrews' status as Patron saint of Russia, is also
prevalent and strong. The claim of Scotland that St.
Andrews is the Patron Saint of Scotland rests on the
legend that St. Rule carried his relics from
Patras in the 4th century and was divinely directed to
modern St. Andrews in Fife, where he built a Church, and
evangelized the neighboring Scots for 30 years. It is more
likely that the relics
were indeed taken to Constantinople in 1204 and removed to
Amalfi, Italy. The distinctive X type cross-associated
with St. Andrews and used in the Scottish Flag is
considered too by some as an innovation
of the 10th century. In his "Primary Chronicle", Nestor
the Chronicler, claims that St. Andrew visited the
location of the future capital of Ukraine where he raised
a cross and predicted that someday the
site would receive many of God's blessings. This
prediction did indeed come true in the year 988 & thus St.
Andrew also the patron saint of the Ukrainian Orthodox
Church. St. Andrew is also the Patron saint of Scotland,
Russia, and Achaia.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Wait...Sign Guestbook |
Tell A friend |
View Member Articles |
Give
Feedback |
| Please note that the views posted on
this site are solely as presented by the members of the
MGOCSM-ANDHERI and has no bearing with the Church's official stand
on issues of doctrine or church relations. Nobody may be held
responsible for any misrepresentation of data and we apologize for
the same. Please feel free to contact us. Help us provide quality
and accurate information. For any comments or suggestions about the
layout and content mail the
[email protected].
|
|
