Andrew the Apostle

Andrew the Apostle (Saint Andrew in Catholic and Orthodox traditions} was one of Jesus' twelve disciples. He was his first disciple. Originally a disciple of John the Baptist.

Andrew lived in Bethsaida of Galilee. His brother was Simon Peter, another of Jesus' twelve disciples, and his father was Jona, or John. Andrew spent his early years as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, but when he heard of John the Baptist, he traveled with a band of his countrymen to Bethany, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. There, he heard John speak about Jesus, and there, Andrew "followed Him." He then went to his brother and saying, "We have found the Messiah" Andrew went with Simon Peter to Christ.

After this event, Andrew returned to Galilee with Simon, and they resumed their positions as fishermen. There, Jesus found them again and, after telling them He would "make you fishers of men," "Behold the Lamb of God!", Andrew and Simon dropped their nets and followed Jesus.

Andrew was at the Last Supper. He met the risen Lord and witnessed His Ascension. Andrew shared in the graces of the first Pentecost.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, St. Andrew spread the early Christian faith amid persecution in Palestine. Also he preached the Gospels in Greece . No one knows how Andrew died, as it isn't recorded in the Bible or any other book. The Eastern Orthodox Church maintains that he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X" (the first letter of Christ in Greek). The Church believes that St. Andrew was the first Ecumenical Patriarch.

Feastday: November 30.

See also

• The Twelve Apostles

External links

• St. Andrew Catholic Online.

References

Also: *Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America