The Holy Apostle St. Andrew, the "First-Called" November 30 The first to be called by Jesus Christ into his service commands a reverence a degree greater than those who have followed simply for the reason that he was the first man beckoned by the Son of God. The high honor of being so chosen went to a man named Andrew, called Protokletos or "First-Called", who went on to prove himself worthy of such distinction in his eminently successful apostolic missions. Andrew was the son of Jonah and brother of Peter, born in the Holy Land in the ancient city of Bethsaida, and was a fisherman by profession. He was first a disciple of St. John the Baptist, but when John pointed to the Lord Jesus and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:36), Andrew left his first teacher and followed Christ and went on to become one of the greatest missionaries in all of history. Andrew even brought his own brother, Peter, to follow the Lord Jesus. When the Apostles drew lots to determine their division of labor for the Lord, Andrew exulted in his mission to preach in Asia Minor, part of Greece, and an area along the coast of the Black Sea, including Constantinople. Wherever Andrew went he attracted throngs of people who thirsted for spiritual knowledge. His message of deliverance was so eloquently convincing and well-spoken, that he is credited with having converted thousands to Christianity. In Byzantium, Andrew installed St. Stachys as its first bishop, thereby establishing an unbroken line of 276 Orthodox Patriarchs down to the present day. In Kiev, he raised the Cross on high and prophesied a Christian future for the Russian people. In Thrace, Epirus, Greece, and the Peloponnese, he brought many people to the faith as well as installed bishops and priests. In the city of Patras, Andrew performed many healing wonders and brought many to Christianity, among whom were the brother and wife of the imperial governor, Aegeatus. This conversion was a great crime to Aegeatus, who put Andrew to torture and then crucified him. Despite Andrew being eighty years old, it was ordered that he be put to death by being nailed upside down to an X-shaped Cross. The people wanted to take Andrew down from the Cross, but he would not let them. Finally, the Apostle prayed to God and a strange radiance surrounded him. After three days of agony, the first-called Apostle died and finished his earthly course. St. Andrew suffered for his Lord in the year 62. His remains were brought to Constantinople 200 years later. In 1460, his head was given to the pope of Rome and on September 24, 1964, the head was returned to the people of Patras. Close Window