Lives Of The Saints
November 30
St Andrew
Andrew first stands out as the apostle who heard Christ, followed Him, and then brought his brother. That pattern of receiving and handing on is more important than the later picturesque legends.
Saint Andrew, Gerard Seghers
Brief life
This life begins with the solid New Testament Andrew: the fisherman of Bethsaida, brother of Peter, disciple of John the Baptist, and first of Christ's followers to recognize the Lamb of God and bring another to Him. He follows Andrew through the Gospel scenes in which he is quietly but memorably present, then notes how little can really be said with confidence about the apostle's later life beyond a few early notices such as the tradition that he preached in Scythia.
The much fuller stories about Patras, the manner of his martyrdom, and his relation to Scotland are treated with respect but with caution, because most of them come from apocryphal acts and later legend rather than from secure early witness.
Historical note
This life gives clear priority here to the biblical Andrew and treats the later stories about Patras, the X-shaped cross, and Scotland much more cautiously.
Keep reading
Nearby saint lives
Move through the calendar without leaving the saint library. These nearby feast-day lives help keep the reading trail connected.
Pray with this saint
Related novenas
If this life stirred a particular need, these are the best nearby novenas in the library.
Christmas Novena I (St. Andrew Novena)
Longing for the Nativity, a grace or petition, and loving adoration of Christ's birth in Bethlehem.
St. Andrew Avellino Novena
Prayed against sudden death, for final perseverance, for help in temptation, and for time to receive the sacraments well.
St. Andrew the Apostle Novena
Prayed for openness to Christ’s call, perseverance under the Cross, missionaries, fishermen, and those asking for apostolic courage.