Saint Andrew
" 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated, the Christ)."
The Story In A Minute
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Saint Andrew
St. Andrew the Apostle, the brother of St. Peter was a fisherman who was born in Bethsaida, a city of Galilee. He was a disciple of St. John the Baptist, who guided him to the Lord Christ. St. Andrew became the Lord’s disciple and one of the twelve apostles.
Preaching The Gospel
After the coming down of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, he preached the Gospel in Syria, then in Asia Minor, Achaea, Cappadocia, Galatia, Bithynia and finally was martyred in the city of Patras, a city of Achaea in Greece.
In The City Of Lydd
He was chosen to go to the city of Lydd and to Kurdistan. He entered the city of Lydd, where most of its people had believed at the hands of St. Peter. He was accompanied by his disciple, Philemon, who had a sweet voice and was a good reader.
St. Andrew commanded Philemon to go up to the pulpit and read. When the priests of the idols heard of the arrival of Andrew the Apostle, they took their spears and went to the church. They stood outside the church to hear if he was cursing their gods or not. They heard Philemon reading the words of David the Prophet,
"Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them"
Their hearts rejoiced because of his sweet voice and their emotions mellowed. They entered the church and bowed down at the feet of Andrew the Apostle. He preached to them, and they believed in the Lord Christ. Then he baptized them with the rest of those who worshipped idols. Andrew the Apostle, then left them and went to Kurdistan and to the cities of Aksis, Aregnas and Henefores to preach there.
With St. Bartholomew In Azrinos
St. Andrew also went with St. Bartholomew to the city of Azrinos. Its people were wicked and knew no God. St Andrew and St. Bartholomew went on preaching and teaching them until they led many of them to the knowledge of God because of the signs and wonders they performed before them. Those who did not believe plotted against St. Andrew. They sent for him so that when he arrived they would attack him and kill him.
However, when the messengers came to St. Andrew and heard his sincere teachings and saw his shining face, they believed in our Lord Christ and did not return to those who had sent them. The unbelievers decided to go to him and burn him. When they gathered around him to do what they had intended, the Apostle prayed to the Lord, and immediately fire came down from heaven and surrounded them. They were terrified and believed. The report of St. Andrew the Apostle was heard throughout all these countries and many believed in the Lord. Nevertheless the priests of the idols continued to look for him in order to kill him.
His Sufferings in Patras - Greece
He went to Patras and preached to its people the Holy gospel. Most of its people believed at his hands, and he almost eradicated the pagan worship. When the Governor of the city realized that, he seized St. Andrew and ordered him to raise incense for the idols; otherwise, he would be crucified. St. Andrew refused and confessed the Lord Christ; the true God who redeemed us with his pure blood.
The Governor was enraged and ordered his crucifixion (the following day) to die the same death as He whom he was preaching. The Apostle spent his night praying to God. The Lord Christ appeared to him and strengthened him saying:
“Do not fear or worry for the time of your departure from this world is near."