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Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle

Image: St. Andrew

On November 30, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle, who was the first of the twelve apostles to be called by Christ. He is the patron saint of: Scotland, Russia, Barbados, Ukraine, Sicily, Greece, Cyprus, and Romania. He is also the is the patron of: fishermen, sore throats, unmarried women, and women who wish to become mothers. The symbol for Saint Andrew in art is his saltire (x-shaped) cross.

Saint Andrew, son of Jonah, was born at Bethsaida in Galilee. He was a disciple of John the Baptist and became one of the first to follow Jesus. He also brought his brother, Simon Peter to Christ. Both were fishermen and at the beginning of Our Lord’s public life occupied the same house at Capharnaum.

As one of the twelve apostles, Andrew was very close to Our Lord during His public life; he was present at the Last Supper; beheld the risen Lord; witnessed the Ascension; shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost, and helped, amid threats and persecution, to establish the Faith in Palestine.

Saint Andrew was crucified by order of the Roman Governor at Patras in southern Greece on a cross which was in the form of an “X”. This type of cross has long been known as “St. Andrew’s cross.” Before his crucifixion he knelt and adored the cross, in remembrance of his Master’s death. After being tied to the cross Andrew hung there for two days, continuously declaring the doctrine of Christ until his death. St. Andrew was martyred during the reign of Nero, on November 30, 60 A.D.

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.

The post Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle appeared first on Jean M. Heimann.



This post first appeared on Catholic Fire, please read the originial post: here

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Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle

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