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Saint Andrew the First-Called
The life and ministry of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the First-Called disciple of Christ
The life and ministry of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the First-Called disciple of Christ
Saint Andrew the Apostle, known as the First-Called (Protokletos), holds a unique place among the Twelve Apostles as the first disciple to follow Jesus Christ. His missionary journeys, particularly to the lands that would become Russia and Ukraine, his martyrdom on an X-shaped cross, and his role in bringing his brother Peter to Christ have made him one of the most venerated apostles in the Orthodox Church.
Andrew was born in Bethsaida, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, to Jonah (or John) and his wife. He and his brother Simon (later called Peter) worked as fishermen, a trade that required strength, skill, and perseverance.
Unlike his brother, Andrew was initially a disciple of John the Baptist, drawn by the Baptist’s call to repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. This demonstrates Andrew’s spiritual seeking and readiness to follow God’s call.
Andrew’s title “First-Called” (Protokletos) comes from the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus’s first disciples. When John the Baptist saw Jesus and declared, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36), Andrew and another disciple (traditionally identified as John the Evangelist) immediately followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and asked them, “What do you seek?” They replied, “Rabbi, where are You staying?” Jesus said, “Come and see” (John 1:38-39). They spent the day with Him, and Andrew became convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.
Andrew’s first act as a disciple was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41). He brought Peter to Jesus, who renamed him Cephas (Peter), meaning “rock.”
This act of bringing his brother to Christ demonstrates:
Throughout Christian history, Andrew’s example has inspired believers to share their faith with family members first.
Andrew was among the first four disciples called by Jesus (along with Peter, James, and John) and was numbered among the Twelve Apostles. Though he appears less frequently in the Gospel narratives than Peter, James, and John, several significant moments highlight his character:
The Feeding of the Five Thousand: Andrew brought the boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus, saying, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (John 6:8-9). His practical observation was met with Christ’s miraculous multiplication.
The Greeks Seeking Jesus: When Greeks came to Philip wanting to see Jesus, Philip consulted Andrew, and together they brought the request to Jesus (John 12:20-22). This shows Andrew’s role as an intermediary and his openness to Gentiles.
The Olivet Discourse: Andrew was among the four disciples who privately asked Jesus about the signs of the end times (Mark 13:3-4).
After Christ’s Ascension, Andrew was among the apostles gathered in the Upper Room, praying with Mary the Mother of God and the other disciples. He received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and began his apostolic ministry.
According to tradition, Andrew’s missionary territory was assigned by lot, and he received the lands around the Black Sea, including Scythia, Greece, and Asia Minor.
Saint Andrew’s missionary journeys were extensive and took him to many regions:
Scythia and the Black Sea Region: He preached throughout the lands north of the Black Sea, in what is now Ukraine and southern Russia
Greece: He established churches in Thrace, Macedonia, and Achaia, with significant ministry in Patras
Asia Minor: He preached in various cities of modern-day Turkey
Possibly as far as Kiev: Orthodox tradition holds that Andrew traveled up the Dnieper River and prophesied that a great Christian city (Kiev) would arise there
His missionary work was characterized by:
Due to his missionary work in the lands that would become Russia and Ukraine, Saint Andrew is venerated as the patron saint of these nations. The Russian Orthodox Church traces its apostolic origins to Saint Andrew’s ministry.
The highest order of the Russian Empire was the Order of Saint Andrew, and his X-shaped cross (the saltire) appears in various national symbols.
Saint Andrew’s final ministry was in Patras, Greece, where he preached the Gospel and performed many miracles. His preaching converted many, including Maximilla, the wife of the Roman proconsul Aegeates.
When Maximilla converted and chose to live in celibacy, dedicating herself to Christ, her husband became enraged. Aegeates tried to force Andrew to convince his wife to return to him and to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Andrew refused to compromise the Gospel or encourage Maximilla to abandon her commitment to Christ. Enraged, Aegeates ordered Andrew’s arrest and execution.
Andrew was sentenced to crucifixion. According to tradition, he was bound (not nailed) to an X-shaped cross, now known as Saint Andrew’s Cross or the saltire. This form of cross was chosen to make his death slower and more painful, and perhaps to differentiate it from Christ’s crucifixion.
Andrew hung on the cross for three days, during which he continued to preach to the crowds that gathered. He exhorted them to remain faithful to Christ and not to fear suffering for the Gospel. His words converted many who witnessed his courage and faith.
Finally, on November 30, 60 AD (or 62 AD according to some sources), Andrew gave up his spirit to God. According to tradition, a great light surrounded him at the moment of his death.
The X-shaped cross on which Andrew was martyred became known as Saint Andrew’s Cross or the saltire. It appears in:
Saint Andrew’s relics were initially kept in Patras, then translated to Constantinople in 357 AD by order of Emperor Constantius II. They were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles alongside the relics of Saint Luke and Saint Timothy.
In 1208, during the Fourth Crusade, the relics were taken to Amalfi, Italy, where they remain in the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. In 1964, Pope Paul VI returned a portion of the relics to Patras as a gesture of reconciliation with the Orthodox Church.
Saint Andrew is commemorated on November 30th (December 13th New Style). His feast is celebrated with great solemnity throughout the Orthodox world, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, Greece, and Scotland.
His troparion proclaims: “As the first-called of the Apostles and brother of the leader of the Apostles, O Andrew, entreat the Master of all to grant peace to the world and to our souls great mercy.”
Saint Andrew’s life demonstrates important spiritual truths:
Immediate Response: His instant following of Christ models prompt obedience to God’s call Evangelical Mission: His bringing of Peter to Christ shows the importance of personal evangelism Humility: Though first-called, he served without seeking prominence Missionary Zeal: His extensive travels demonstrate commitment to spreading the Gospel
Saint Andrew is patron saint of:
Saint Andrew remains profoundly relevant for contemporary Christians:
Saint Andrew the First-Called continues to inspire Christians to respond immediately to Christ’s call, to bring others to Him, and to serve faithfully wherever God sends them, showing that the first step of faith leads to a lifetime of fruitful ministry.
“We have found the Messiah!” - Saint Andrew the First-Called (John 1:41)