Apostle · 1st century
Andrew
Apostle Andrew, the First-Called
New Calendar November 30 Old Calendar December 13
Why they are a saint
The Church remembers Andrew as first-called of the Twelve, brother of Peter, preacher in many lands according to tradition (Scythia, Byzantium, Achaia). He martyred at Patras. The years given for this life are 1st century. The New Calendar feast is November 30.
Life
Saint Andrew was from Bethsaida and worked as a fisherman with his brother Peter. He became the closest disciple of Saint John the Baptist, who, declaring Christ to be the Lamb of God, sent Andrew and John to Him. Andrew was the first of the Apostles to follow Christ, hence 'the First-called,' and he brought his brother Peter to Him.
After Pentecost he preached in the East: through Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia, to the Danube, along the Black Sea coast and through the Crimea, and up the Dnieper to the hills where Kiev now stands. In the village of Byzantium, the future Constantinople, he founded the Church of Christ.
At Patras, where he brought almost all the citizens to the faith, the prefect Aegeatos ordered him crucified. He accepted it with joy and died saying, 'Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit.' Under Constantine the Great his relics were solemnly transferred to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of Scotland, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, fishermen, navy, because he was a fisherman before following Christ and he is linked to that land by his life and labours.
Prayer
O holy Andrew, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.