Red-Letter Day
Apostle & Martyr
November 30
also known as Andrew, St. Andrew, The First-Called
Andrew was the first disciple called by Jesus and the brother of Simon Peter. He fished for a living in Galilee and had followed John the Baptist, before Jesus. Andrew recognized Jesus as the Messiah and immediately brought his brother to him — an act of introduction that defines his apostolic character throughout the Fourth Gospel. He is numbered among the Twelve in all four canonical lists.
Traditionally, Andrew is said to have preached in Scythia (the regions around the Black Sea), Asia Minor, and Greece. According to the most widely attested tradition, he was martyred at Patras in Achaia, crucified on an X-shaped cross (the saltire or St. Andrew's Cross), reportedly at his own request, considering himself unworthy to die on a cross of the same shape as his Lord's. He is said to have preached from the cross for two days before dying. His relics were later translated to Constantinople, and veneration of the apostle became central to the Ecumenical Patriarchate's identity.
Andrew and his brother Simon were fishermen from Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44). According to the Fourth Gospel, Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. When the Baptist pointed to Jesus and declared 'Behold, the Lamb of God,' Andrew followed Jesus, spent the day with him, and then found Simon with the words: 'We have found the Messiah' (John 1:35–42). The Synoptic Gospels present a simpler call narrative: Jesus sees Andrew and Simon casting nets and says, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:18–20; Mark 1:16–18).
Andrew appears in all four apostolic lists (Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14, Acts 1:13). In John's Gospel he has three significant scenes: bringing Peter to Jesus (1:40–42), identifying the boy with five barley loaves and two fish (6:8–9), and introducing the Greek seekers to Jesus alongside Philip (12:20–22). Each episode shows Andrew as a connector — the apostle who bridges the gap between seekers and the Lord.
After Pentecost, the canonical record falls silent about Andrew. His subsequent missionary activity and death depend entirely on later sources.
Almighty God, you gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.