Saint Andrew, the First-Called Disciple
14 St. Andrew, the First - called Disciple
November 30
Andrew was a brother of St. Peter, and both of them
were fishermen at the Sea of Galilee with partners James
and John, the sons of Zebedee (Luke 5:1-10).
This was a very pious group of fishermen. When they
heard about John the Baptist and his preaching about the
Messiah, they became his disciples. One day, after Jesus
was baptized, John the Baptist saw Him coming, and
turning to his disciples said, "Behold, the Lamb of God."
Together with his partner, John, Andrew ran to him and
followed Him. (John 1:35-42). Later, he brought his
brother Peter to Jesus, From this event, St. Andrew is
called Protoclete "The First-Called Disciple."
According to the Gospels, Andrew had a place of honor
near the Master. He was the one who pointed out to
Jesus the boy with the five loaves and the two fishes
which were used for the feeding of the multitude in the
wilderness (John 6:8-9). He also was the one who brought
the Greeks to Jesus when the expressed their to
see Him (John 12:20-22).
After the establishment of the first Christian Church,
Andrew became the Apostle in the territory around the
Black Sea and the Balkan Peninsula (Bithynia, Southern
Russia, Thrace, Macedonia, Epirus, Peloponnesus).
Among the first Churches which he established is the
Church of Bazantium, the ancient Greek colony which
later became the capital of the Byzantine Empire (Con -
stantinople) and the seat of the Greek Orthodox Ecu -
menical Patriarchate. For this reason, St. Andrew is con -
sidered the Patron Saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
of Constantinople.
St. Andrew finished his life at Patras, Greece, where
he was crucified on an x-shaped cross by the Roman
Proconsul Ageas.
~ What a Beautiful Day ~
Sun to shine upon us
Warmth will give a glow
This a special feeling
That we have come to know
Butterflies surround us
Flutter with their wings
All great things of beauty
Gives joy to hearts that sing
These the gifts I treasure
With friends I love so dear
Always they bring sunshine
Each day throughout the year
Catch a beam of sunshine
Keep it in your heart
This the joy of living
With friends that never part
Flowers to surround us
With velvet at our feet
Softness of all beauty
Nothing can compete
All these sacred moments
Special times we share
You and I together
Friendship so aware.