Family - Saint Andrew
![[Saint Andrew]](/images/st_andrew.jpg)
Saintly Lives: Apostle Andrew the First-Called
(Commemorated November 30th)
Apolytikion (dismissal hymn) of St. Andrew
Andrew, first-called of the Apostles
and brother of the foremost disciple,
entreat the Master of all
to grant peace to the world
and to our souls great mercy.
St. Andrew was the first of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and the brother of the Apostle Peter. He is also the patron saint of several countries, including Romania and Scotland (this one may be a surprise to most of us!). In addition, the seat of our Ecumenical Patriarch, currently His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, is considered the direct spiritual successor of St. Andrew. St. Andrew was a fisherman by trade, born in Bethsaida. A dedicated disciple of John the Baptist, he left to follow Jesus Christ following his baptism and brought along his brother, the Apostle Peter. Both are numbered among the Twelve Great Apostles. After Pentecost, the lot fell to St. Andrew to preach in a host of lands—including Byzantium, Thrace, Peloponnese, Epirus, Georgia, and Kiev. St. Andrew was martyred in Peloponnese, in the city of Patras, 62 A.D.
Making It Real: St. Andrew is known as the "first-called" for a reason. He was the first disciple that Jesus reached out to and invited to follow Him. And because our greatest gift is free will—St. Andrew was not forced follow: he had a choice. The options and challenge were obvious—play it safe, where you are, or take a risk, a leap of faith. Walk with the Lord, if you have the courage. He obviously made the brave and right choice, and this instructive. Talk to your children about what it means to be the first one to do something—whether it’s to stand up for a friend on the playground, tell the truth to a teacher or to offer a new idea for a project at Church. What does it take to respond to Christ’s invitation and be a "first responder"? Bravery, faith, love, hope and energy! These incredible values will yield powerful, sweet fruit in our lives—the life of St. Andrew is testimony enough.
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