St Andrew the Apostle was also known as Andrew the Protoclete, Andreas, or Endres.
He was the Brother of St Peter the Apostle and one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.
He was born in Bethsaida, Galilee, and died in Patras, Greece.
We celebrate his feast day on November 30 every year in the Catholic Church.
| St Andrew the Apostle Biography | |
|---|---|
| Profession | Apostle of Jesus |
| Place of Death | Patras, Achaia, Roman Empire |
| Feast Day | November 30 |
| Canonization | Pre-Congregation |
| Patron Saint of |
|
St Andrew the Apostle Life History
St Andrew the Apostle was born in Bethsaida, a village located on the Sea of Galilee in the early first century.
He was one of the fishermen from Bethsaida and counted among the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.
Additionally, he was the brother of St. Peter. In the Gospel According to St. John, Andrew is the first Apostle named and was a disciple of St John the Baptist prior to Jesus’ call.
Upon hearing John the Baptist identify Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” Andrew and another follower decided to start following Jesus.
At Jesus’ request, Andrew and his brother Peter left their fishing profession to become his disciples. Jesus promised to transform them into “fishers of men.”
Andrew was notably enthusiastic about introducing others to Jesus. When he himself was called by Christ, his initial impulse was to find his brother and bring him to Jesus, declaring, “We have found the Messiah.”
The Gospel of Luke initially doesn’t mention Andrew by name. It describes Jesus using a boat, likely belonging to Simon (Peter), to preach to the masses and miraculously catching a large number of fish on a night that was initially unproductive. It’s only in Luke 6:14 that Andrew is identified as Simon Peter’s brother.
Andrew was among the disciples closest to Jesus. He played a significant role, such as bringing to Jesus the boy with loaves and fishes (John 6:8). When Philip wanted to discuss the Greeks seeking Jesus, he approached Andrew first.
According to Christian tradition, Andrew spread the Good News throughout regions like the shores of the Black Sea, Greece, and Turkey.
He met his martyrdom through crucifixion in Patras. At his request, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross or “saltire,” known today as “St. Andrew’s Cross,” as he believed himself unworthy to die on a cross similar to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Andrew, after enduring a severe scourging, was bound to die on the cross. Upon seeing the cross, he welcomed it with joy, considering it a vehicle for his union with Christ.
He remained alive on the cross for two days, preaching and urging onlookers not to interfere with his suffering.
His representations include images of fish, fishing nets, a man bound to a cross, an old man preaching from a cross, and depictions of him with long white hair and a beard, holding the Gospel and leaning on a transverse cross.
Saint Andrew the Apostle is the Patron Saint of
- Scotland,
- Barbados,
- Georgia,
- Ukraine,
- Russia,
- Sicily,
- Greece,
- Cyprus,
- Romania,
- Patras,
- San Andrés (Tenerife),
- Diocese of Parañaque,
- Telhado (pt),
- Amalfi,
- Luqa (Malta) and Prussia;
- Diocese of Victoria;
- Fishermen, fishmongers and rope-makers,
- Textile workers,
- Singers,
- Miners,
- Pregnant women,
- Butchers,
- Farm workers,
- Protection against sore throats,
- Protection against convulsions,
- Protection against fever,
- Protection against whooping cough
Today’s Saint Andrew the Apostle Feast Day Quote:
If we would do good to others, we must, like St. Andrew, keep close to the cross.
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