Holy Apostle Andrew. Andrew the First-Called - Intercessor and patron of Orthodox Christians

The Holy Apostle Andrew is called First-Called because he was called the first of the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ. Before last day the earthly path of the Savior, the Holy Apostle Andrew followed Him. After the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, Saint Andrew became a witness to the Resurrection and Ascension of the Savior. In , fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus, in Jerusalem there was a miracle of the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form fiery tongues on the apostles. Thus, inspired by the Spirit of God, the apostles received the gift of healing, prophesying, and the ability to speak in different tongues about the great deeds of the Lord.

Gospel of Andrew the First-Called before the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.

Saint Andrew is mentioned in the lists of the apostles in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt. 10:2), Mark (Mark 3:18), Luke (Luke 6:14), as well as in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:13) .
The Holy Apostle Andrew and his brother Simon (the future St. Peter) were born in the city of Bethsaida in Galilee. Their father's name was Jonah. Galilee - the northern part of the Holy Land was distinguished by fertility and picturesqueness. The Galileans easily got along with the Greeks, who inhabited their country in large numbers, many spoke Greek and even bore Greek names. The name Andrew is Greek and means "courageous" in translation. Later, the brothers moved to Capernaum (a city on the shores of Lake Genisaret), where they acquired own house and engaged fishing.
Already with young years Apostle Andrew was distinguished by his prayerful aspiration to God. He did not marry, but became a disciple of St. the prophet John the Baptist, who announced the Incarnation. When St. John the Baptist pointed to the Jordan of Sts. Apostles Andrew and John the Theologian to Jesus Christ, calling Him the Lamb of God, they immediately followed the Lord.
As the gospel says, St. Apostle Andrew was not only the first to follow the call of the Lord, which is why he received the name of the First-Called, but he was also the first of the apostles who confessed His Savior, bringing to Christ his brother Simon, the future apostle Peter.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John describe Andrew's meeting with Jesus in different ways. IN Gospel of John(John 1:35-40) it is said that Andrew first saw the Savior when the holy Forerunner pointed to the walking Jesus Christ and said: "Behold the Lamb of God." Hearing this, Andrew, together with another disciple of the Forerunner, whose name the evangelist does not give, left the Baptist and followed Christ. Later St. Andrew brought his brother Simon (St. Peter) to Jesus.
In the Gospels from Matthew (Matt. 4:18-19) and from Mark (Mark 1:16-18) it is said that the Savior met Andrew and his brother Simon Peter on the shore of Lake Genisaret, where the brothers were fishing with a net. Jesus addressed them with the words: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Andrew and Simon (Peter) followed Jesus, leaving their nets.
The Holy Scriptures provide information about the Apostle Andrew. Yes, in Gospel of John it is said that during the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, Andrew pointed to a boy who had "five loaves of barley and two fish" (John 6:8-9). Andrew showed the Savior to the pagans who came to Jerusalem to worship true God(John 12:20-22). According to the Evangelist Mark, Saint Andrew was one of the four disciples of Jesus (Peter, James, John), who asked Him on the Mount of Olives about the future destruction of Jerusalem and about the signs of the Second Coming of the Savior, and to whom the Savior revealed the fate of the world ( Mk. 13:3-4; Matt. 24:1-14; OK. 21.5-19).

The third journey of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Service in Scythia.

His third journey, St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called committed to Chersonese, where he preached for a long time. The chronicle preserved a description of the path of the Apostle Andrew. In these parts, he preached many times, the tradition points to a recess on the stone formed from the foot of the apostle, the water that was collected in it healed the sick. The ruins of ancient temples, whose foundations date back to the 1st century, have survived to our times, and among them are traces of the ancient temple of St. Andrew with a throne carved on a rock named after him.
From here, the Apostle Andrew made his journey along the Dnieper, which was then called Borisfen. According to the revelation of God, the saint stopped in those places where the city of Kyiv is now located. After a night spent in prayer, St. the apostle erected the Cross and, filled with a prophetic spirit, said to his disciples: "Do you see these mountains? The grace of God will shine on these mountains: there will be a large city here, and the Lord will build many churches in it."
According to legend, moving further north, the Apostle Andrew reached the settlements of the Slavs in the place of the future Novgorod. From here, the Apostle Andrew passed through the lands of the Varangians to Rome, and then visited Thrace. Here in a small village of Byzantium, in the future Constantinople, he founded the Christian Church, consecrating one of the 70 apostles of Christ, Stachy, as a bishop. So the name of the Apostle Andrew connects the Constantinople and Russian Orthodox Churches

Apostle Andrew resurrects the dead.

The life of the apostle tells of several cases of the resurrection of the dead by him: - In the city of Amaseev, the apostle Andrew resurrected a boy named Egypt, who died of a fever, at the request of the boy's father Demetrius.
- In Nicomedia, during the funeral procession, the apostle resurrected a boy who died from the fact that his body was torn apart by dogs.
- In Thessalonica, at the request of one of the inhabitants of the city, the apostle publicly resurrected a boy who died of strangulation.
- In Thessalonica, the apostle resurrected little boy who died from a snakebite.
- Enraged by the sermons of the Apostle Andrew, Proconsul Virin sent soldiers to bring the apostle to him by force. One of the soldiers fell dead as soon as he drew his sword, after which the apostle resurrected him with a prayer.
- Proconsul Virin ordered the apostle to be tortured in the stadium, releasing a boar, a bull and a leopard into the arena in turn. But the animals did not touch the apostle, while the leopard attacked the son of the proconsul and strangled him. After a long prayer, the apostle resurrected his son Virin.
In the city of Patras, the Apostle Andrew preached in the house of the proconsul Lisbius. The former concubine of the proconsul Trofim followed the teachings of the apostle and left her husband. Trophima's husband came to the proconsul's wife Calista and slandered his wife, accusing her of resuming contact with the proconsul. By order of Calista, Trofima was forcibly placed in a brothel for abuse, but Trofima prayed so hard that all the men who tried to touch her died, after which she resurrected one of them.
- The proconsul's wife went to the bathhouse with her lover, where they both died. At the request of the nurse Calista, the Apostle Andrew resurrected the deceased, after which Lisbius and his wife believed in Christ.
- In the city of Patras, during the sermon of the Apostle Andrew, a drowned man was thrown ashore by a wave, whom the apostle resurrected with his prayer. It was Philopatra, the son of Sostratus, a Macedonian, who sailed on a ship to Patras in order to get acquainted with the new teaching, but he was carried away by a wave from the ship during a storm.
- Philopatre asked the apostle to resurrect his friends and servants, who were also carried away from the ship into the sea. When the Apostle Andrew prayed, another 39 people were washed ashore by a wave, and the crowd surrounding the apostle turned to him with a request for their resurrection. The apostle asked to put the bodies in one place and with his prayer resurrected all the dead.
- In the city of Sinop, the Apostle Andrew, at the request of a woman, resurrected her husband, who was found dead in a pit.
- In the city of Atskuri (modern Georgia), through the prayer of the apostle, the deceased was resurrected, and this miracle prompted the inhabitants of the city to accept Holy Baptism.

Martyrdom of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

The last city where Andrew the First-Called came and where he was destined to accept a martyr's death was the city of Patras, the Achaian city at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. The ruler of the city, Proconsul Egeat, remained an inveterate pagan. Apostle Andrew repeatedly addressed him with the words of the Gospel. The holy apostle appealed to his soul, seeking to reveal to him the Christian mystery eternal life, the miraculous power of the Holy Cross of the Lord. The ruler Egeat did not believe the preaching of the apostle and ordered the apostle to be crucified so that he would suffer longer. They tied St. Andrew to the cross, without driving nails into his hands and feet, so as not to cause an imminent death. According to legend, the cross on which St. the Apostle Andrew looked like a Roman numeral X. Such a cross is now called Andreevsky. For two days the holy Apostle taught the assembled citizens from the cross. The people who listened to him sympathized with the martyr and demanded that he be taken down from the cross. Fearing an uprising, the ruler ordered an end to the execution. But Andrew the First-Called wished death on the cross for the Lord. The soldiers could not untie the hands of the martyr. Suddenly, a bright radiance illuminated the cross, and when it stopped, people saw that the holy Apostle had already committed his soul to the Lord. Maximilla, the ruler's wife, removed the body of the Apostle from the cross and buried it with honor. This happened when the holy Apostle Andrew was 62 years old. Date of death: December 13, about the 70th year.

Relics of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

The relics of St. Andrew the First-Called were located at the place of his martyrdom - in Patras (Greece) from the moment of the death of St. Apostle Andrew until the middle of the 4th century.
In the year 357, under Emperor Constantine the Great, the relics (except for the honorable head) were transferred by the military leader the Great Martyr Artemy to Constantinople and placed in the foundation of the Church of the Holy Apostles next to the relics of St. the Evangelist Luke and the disciple of the Apostle Paul - the Apostle Timothy. In the VI century, under Emperor Justinian I, the relics of the apostles Andrew the First-Called, Luke and Timothy, found during the dismantling of the dilapidated temple, were solemnly transferred to the new church of the Holy Apostles and buried under the throne. In 1208 Constantinople was taken by the crusaders. The relics of St. Apostle Andrew were transported by Cardinal Peter of Kapuan (confessor of the fourth crusade) to Italy and placed in the Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called in Amalfi, where they are currently located. The relics are under the throne, and a part of the head of the holy apostle is kept in a separate reliquary.
The remains of St. Apostle Andrew are kept under marble sarcophagus which is used as a throne. Mass (Catholic liturgy) is served weekly on this throne and an Orthodox service is served once a week.

Honest head and cross of St. Andrew the First-Called.

The honest head and the cross of Andrew the First-Called remained in Patras for many centuries. In 1458 (1462), under Pope Pius II, the honorable head and cross of St. Apostle Andrew Andrew were transferred to Rome and placed in St. Peter's Basilica. Part of the chapter was laid along with the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called in Amalfi.
In 1964, Pope Paul VI decided to transfer the head of St. Andrew the First-Called and the particles of St. Andrew's Cross to the Greek Orthodox Church, and these relics were solemnly transferred to Patras. In 1974, the construction of the Cathedral in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called, the largest in the Balkans, which lasted 66 years, was completed here. In the right aisle of the temple, on the throne, rests under a white marble canopy in a silver ark, the honest head of the apostle. Behind the altar there is a large St. Andrew's cross-reliquary containing particles of the cross on which the apostle was crucified.

Divine service on the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. 30 November s.s. (December 13 NS).

30 November s.s. (December 13, NS) December 13 (November 30, old style) The Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Andrew the First-Called. The Russian Church, having adopted the faith from Byzantium, whose bishops lead the succession from the Apostle Andrew, also considers itself his successor. That is why the memory of St. Andrew the First-Called was so solemnly revered in pre-revolutionary Russia. In Rus', the growth of veneration of Andrew the First-Called dates back to the 11th century. In 1030, Vsevolod Yaroslavich, the youngest son of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, received the name Andrei in baptism, in 1086 he founded the Andreevsky (Yanchin) monastery in Kyiv. In 1089, a stone cathedral in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called was consecrated in Pereyaslavl; at the end of the 11th century, a church was built in Novgorod in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called. At the same time, the memory of Andrew the First-Called was included in all types of Russian calendars. Emperor Peter I established in honor of the Apostle Andrew the first and highest order, which was given as a reward to the dignitaries of the state. Since the time of Peter the Great, the Russian fleet has adopted the St. Andrew's flag as its banner (a blue X-shaped cross on a white background). Until November 1917 (since Peter the Great), the St. Andrew's Cross was depicted on the stern flags of warships Russian fleet. In accordance with the presidential decree Russian Federation dated June 21, 1992, the Andreevsky flag was again raised on the ships and vessels of the Russian Navy. Also, the beginning of Christian preaching in Georgia has long been associated with the name of Andrew the First-Called. The preaching activity of St. Andrew the First-Called on the territory of Georgia was considered an irrefutable fact by the Georgian Church.

Worship. Hymnography.

Troparion of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, tone 4.

Like the first-called apostles, and the supreme brother, the Lord of all, Andrew, pray, grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls. Twice.

Kontakion of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, tone 2

Let us praise the courage of the namesake of the God-speaker and the Church of the superintendent, Petrov's kinsman, for as long ago as this and now cry to us: come, find the Desired One.

Kontakion 1 Akathist to the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

The First-Called Apostle of Christ, the Gospel of the Holy Preacher, the Russian country of the God-inspired Enlightener Andrei the Most Glorious, let us praise with songs, standing on the hilltop, where the Cross is erected on his right hand, and to him, as the Church’s supreme investigator, following himself who showed her the way to Christ, we call in tenderness: Rejoice, Andrew, First-Called Apostle of Christ.

Magnification of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

We magnify you, the Apostle of Christ Andrew, and we honor your illnesses and labors, as you have worked in the gospel of Christ.

Iconography.

Apostle Andrew is represented in many gospel stories and the deeds of the apostles.
The earliest depictions of him have survived:
- on a fresco from the catacomb in Karmuz (Egypt), IV-VI centuries;
- in the domed mosaic of the Orthodox Baptistery (Ravenna), middle of the 5th century;
- rare individual images - on an ivory diptych, 450-460. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London), and ampoules (for example, on a ceramic ampule from Dvin).
- in the oratory of the Archbishop's Chapel (Ravenna), 494-519;
- in the church of San Vitale (Ravenna), about 547;
- in the apse of the katholikon of the monastery of the VMC. Catherine at Sinai, 550-565;
- on the fresco of the apse of Chapel VI in Bauit (Egypt), VI century;
- in the apse of the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua (Rome), 705-707, etc.
- in the Byzantine hagiographic literature there are references to the miraculous images of St. Andrew the First-Called;
- according to the testimony of Epiphanius the Monk, the ancient image of the apostle, painted on marble, was in the chapel in Sinop;
- another image of the apostle was above the gates of the house of John Scholasticus near Perdix in Constantinople.
Already in the early monuments, the appearance of St. Andrew the First-Called has pronounced individual features: - gray tousled hair and a short thick beard;
- like other apostles, he is dressed in a tunic with claves and a himation.
According to Epiphanius Monk's description, " he was not small in bodily constitution, but tall, nosy, eyebrows, slightly hunched".
In post-iconoclastic times, Andrew the First-Called, as a rule, was depicted:
- with a scroll in hand, for example, on the mosaics of the Osios Loukas narthex in Phokis (Greece), 30s. XII century No. - - with a cross on a long shaft, for example, on the mosaic of the apse of c. Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello, c. 1130; on the mosaic of the Chapel del Sacramento of the Cathedral in Trieste, 1st floor. XII century; on the mosaic of the Cathedral of Cefalu in Sicily, c. 1148
The image of St. Andrew the First-Called is present in the compositions "Eucharist", " The Last Supper"," The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem", "The Assurance of Thomas", "The Ascension of the Lord" (for example, in the Church of Martyr George in Kurbinovo (Macedonia), 1191, Andrew the First-Called is depicted with a cross), "The Descent of the Holy Spirit", "Dormition Holy Mother of God"and others, as well as -" Multiplication of loaves and fish "(mosaic of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (Ravenna), c. 520)," Baptism of the Lord "(Church of Panagia Mavriotissa in Kastoria (Greece), late XII century); on the icons "Cathedral of the 12 Apostles" (1st third of the 14th century; Pushkin Museum; c. 1432; NGOMZ).
The special veneration of Andrew the First-Called in Rus' was reflected in his image on the miniature of the Radzivilov Chronicle ( BAN OR. 34. 5. 30. L. 3v.; con. 15th century).
The martyrdom of Andrew the First-Called, crucified on the cross (called "St. Andrew's"), is presented:
- in the Minology of Basil II ( Vat. gr. 1613. R. 215, 976-1025.);
- on the icon "The Menaion for September, October, November", XII century. (Monastery of the Great Martyr. Catherine in Sinai) the crucifixion of St. Andrew the First-Called was placed on a tree.
In the XVII-XIX centuries. the iconography of the martyrdom of Andrew the First-Called, crucified on the cross, was developed in Russian icon painting (for example, "Apostolic deeds and sufferings", XVII century. ( GMMC). This theme was common in Catholic art.
Full cycle of 80 miniatures with the life of St. Andrew the First-Called is contained in a manuscript of the 17th century. ( OLDP F 137. L. 1-96ob).
Along with the images of the supreme apostles, the image of St. Andrew the First-Called was often included in the high iconostasis, where, as a rule, it was placed opposite the Apostle John the Theologian:
- on the icon from the iconostasis of 1408 of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir ( GTG);
- on an icon from a deesis of 1444-1445. Church of the Assumption from Paromenia in Pskov ( PIAM) - in a red tunic and a dark green himation, with the Gospel in his hands;
- on the icon of the XV century. from the deesis (Museum-Reserve "Dmitrovsky Kremlin");
- on the Rostov icon from the Deesis tier, end. 15th century ( GMZRK), - with a scroll in hand;
- On the icon of the middle of the XVI century. ( CAC MDA) he is presented together with Archangel Michael;
- on the image from the Nikolo-Koryazhemsky monastery ( before 1661; SIHM) - in growth, in prayer to Christ;
- on the Vologda icon "Ap. Andrew the First-Called in the life" of 1717 ( VGIAHMZ).

Andrew the First-Called was born at the beginning of the 1st century, was a native of the Galilean city of Bethsaida. When John the Baptist began to preach on the banks of the Jordan, Andrew, along with John Zebedee, followed the prophet. Many thought that John the Baptist was the expected Messiah, but the prophet explained to people that he was not the Messiah, but was sent only to prepare the way for Him.

Andrew, who followed the Lord before the other apostles, received the title of the First-Called. Later in the New Testament, Andrew the First-Called is reported episodically. He is mentioned among the twelve disciples of Christ. At the miraculous feeding of five thousand people, it is he who informs Jesus about the five loaves and two fishes that are available. Andrew the First-Called, together with the three chosen disciples of Christ, Peter, James and John, was a participant in the Savior's conversation on the Mount of Olives about the coming end of the world. Among the twelve disciples, Andrew the First-Called was present at the Last Supper and at the appearances of Christ to the apostles after the Resurrection, as well as at the Ascension of the Savior. The last thing known about Andrew the First-Called from the New Testament is his participation, together with everyone else, in the choice of the twelfth apostle instead of Judas Iscariot and the presence at the descent of the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost.

According to legend, when the apostles cast lots on who should go where to preach, the apostle Andrew got Scythia. According to Ovid, a contemporary of the apostles, this country occupied the territory north of Pontus Euxinus (Black Sea), stretching from the mountains of the Caucasus, Meotida ( Sea of ​​Azov) and the Tanais (Don) river in the east to the Gipanis (Southern Bug) river in the west and included the Crimean peninsulas, and bounded by the Scythian mountains in the north.

In the life of Andrew the First-Called, compiled by Epiphanius the Monk, it is reported that during the third journey, the apostle, passing through the southern and eastern Black Sea coast, reached the Crimea and spent considerable time in Chersonese. This life enjoyed great authority in all Orthodox Churches, at the end of the 11th century, its Slavic translation appeared. In addition, an original legend was created in Rus' about Andrei the First-Called visiting the Russian borders - "The Word about the manifestation of Baptism in the Russian land of the Holy Apostle Andrew, as he came to Rus'", preserved in the Tale of Bygone Years. According to this text, Andrew the First-Called, who arrived from Sinop in Korsun (Chersonese), learned about the proximity of the Dnieper mouth and wanted to go along this river to Rome. Climbing up the Dnieper, he blessed the site of the future Kyiv, and then went north to the land of Slovenia, where Novgorod later arose.

After returning to Greece, the Apostle Andrew stopped in the city of Patros, located near the Gulf of Corinth. Since many residents believed in Christ, the local ruler Egeat kindled with hatred against the Apostle Andrew and sentenced Him to be crucified on the cross. He ordered the apostle to be crucified so that he would suffer longer. They tied St. Andrew to a cross like the letter X, without driving nails into his hands and feet, so as not to cause an early death. The unjust verdict of Egeat aroused indignation among the people, but remained in force. The martyrdom of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called followed about 62 years after the Nativity of Christ.

Apostle Andrew the First-Called has long been revered in Rus'. In 1030, Vsevolod Yaroslavich, the youngest son of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, received the name Andrei in baptism. In 1086 he founded St. Andrew's Monastery in Kyiv. In 1089, Metropolitan Ephraim of Pereyaslavl consecrated the stone cathedral built by him in Pereyaslavl in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called; at the end of the 11th century, a temple in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called was built in Novgorod. At the same time, the memory of Andrew the First-Called was included in all Russian calendars. Since 1097, church services to St. Andrew the First-Called have been witnessed in the Russian tradition.

Under Emperor Peter I, who considered Andrew the First-Called to be his patron, the name "baptizer of the Russian land" was given to the main order Russian Empire, and the St. Andrew's cross began to be depicted on the flags of the Russian fleet.

St. Andrew the First-Called can rightfully be called one of the most revered in the entire territory of vast Rus'. More than many others, the icon of St. Andrew the First-Called is revered, because he became the first preacher in lands far from the territory where Christ preached. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to his life, sacred images dedicated to him, the order that proudly bears his name and the current fund.

The meaning of the icon of St. Andrew the First-Called

If you look at how Saint Andrew the First-Called is depicted, then almost always the icon includes a diagonal cross on background. This symbol is repeatedly used in heraldry and in various other areas. In general, the diagonal cross refers to elementary symbols, so it is difficult to say when the icon of St. Andrew was the basis, and when it was just a combination of stripes. One way or another, there is definitely an opportunity to point to the St. Andrew's flag and the flag of Scotland.

Since ancient times, the icon of St. Andrew the First-Called has been of significant importance for sailors and fishermen, and indeed for everyone who is related to navigation. This righteous man is considered the protector of all those who communicate with the water element.

It should also be noted high value icons of Andrew the First-Called for all Russians Orthodox people. After all, in fact, it was thanks to him that Christianity came to Rus'. Of course, many can talk about the baptism of Rus', but initially it was this apostle who carried the word of Christ in the Scythian lands. Moreover, his work was very great, because he had to preach among the pagans, who did not particularly like such a sermon.

The story of the holy apostle

Andrew the First-Called, became the first person to respond to the call of the teacher of Jesus Christ to follow him, and therefore was awarded the name of the First-Called. With their brother, they grew up in a small town, where they got acquainted with the speeches of John the Baptist, by mistake they considered him the Anointed One, whom the nations were waiting for.

The humble minister rejected their suggestions, leading the men to the real Messiah. They immediately accepted the truth he carried. And Andrew, filled with the truth, told Peter about it, who selflessly followed with them. But before following the Lord, they were ordered to return to their homes and complete the necessary work related to work and housekeeping. Jesus, having caught them fishing, which was customary for men of that time, calls them to go with him and become "fishers of men."

As believers know, as a result, each apostle received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that is, he possessed miraculous abilities. Each of them knew how to heal and perform other miracles. They continue to do so to this day. Therefore, the icon of St. Andrew the First-Called helps those who pray in many ways: it heals from ailments, builds relationships, and strengthens faith.

Ministry of Saint Andrew

When the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, the followers of Jesus cast lots and determine where each of them will go to carry the good news. Andrew the First-Called must go to the shores located along the sea, and the territories belonging to the Scythians. By existing legend he was able to reach the territory where Kyiv would be founded many centuries later. It was he who predicted the foundation of one of the majestic settlements, consecrated by God's Grace.

Before his death, which occurred after a public crucifixion, Andrei prayed long and hard, incessantly turning to the departed Christ. He also worked various miracles, in particular, he healed the sick in Greece.

It was there that the ruler of one of the cities where the apostle lived and sentenced him to crucifixion and ordered not to pierce, but only to tie his limbs in order to increase the torment. Apostle Andrew not only did not resist, but he himself went to the place where they wanted to install a crucifix, read a sermon, and then prayed on his diagonal cross. As a result, the ruler ordered him to be removed, as he understood the greatness of this man, but Saint Andrew asked the Lord to grant him the honor of martyrdom, and no one was able to untie the ropes, and the apostle, having given praise, expired.

Now it is often possible to see the image of St. Andrew the First-Called from gold, transferred on the icon, because he is considered miraculous and highly revered.

Until now, the icon of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called brings good to people, or rather, the apostle himself, to whom people all over the world pray, brings good.

In Russian cities, even small ones, you can easily find a temple in honor of the saint.

Prayer to the Apostle Andrew

On this day, a special service is often performed in churches and a corresponding prayer is offered to the saint.

First-Called Apostle of God and Savior Jesus Christ, Follower of the Church, All-Praised Andrew! We glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, we sweetly remember your blessed coming to us, we bless your honest suffering, even if you suffered for Christ, we kiss your sacred relics, we honor your holy memory and we believe that the Lord lives, your soul is alive and with Him stay in heaven forever, even if you love us with love, you also loved us, when by the Holy Spirit you saw our conversion, even to Christ, and not just love, but also pray to God for us, in vain in the light of His all our needs. So we believe and so we confess our faith in the temple, even in your name, Saint Andrew, gloriously created, where your holy relics rest: believing, we ask and pray the Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, but with your prayers, even always listen and accepts, gives us all that is necessary for the salvation of us sinners: yes, as if you were abie according to the voice of the Lord, leave your own land, you followed Him unswervingly, and everyone from us seeks not their own, but hedgehog to the creation of one’s neighbor and about the high calling, yes thinks. Having the same intercessor and intercessor for us, we hope that your prayer can do much before the Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ, He deserves all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit and forever and ever. Amen.

app. dated 12 (commemorated November 30; June 30 - in the Cathedral of the 12 Apostles, in the Cathedral of the Karelian Saints and in the Cathedral of the Crimean Saints). Occurred, as well as ap. Philip, from Bethsaida (John 1.44), A.P. lived in Capernaum (Mk 1.29) in the same house with his brother Simon Peter (Mt 4.18; Mk 1.16). The father of Peter and A.P. was called Jonah (Mt 16.17; Jn 1.42) (some ancient manuscripts of the Gospel of John offer a different version of his name - John). According to the Gospel of John, A.P. was one of those 2 disciples of St. John the Baptist, who, after the testimony of the latter about Christ in Bethany, followed the Savior (John 1. 35-40). Having become the first disciple of Christ (hence his traditional nickname - the First-Called) and spending a day with Him, A.P. then brought a brother to Him (John 1. 41-42). According to the evangelists Matthew and Mark, A.P. and Peter were engaged in fishing, during which they, together with James and John, were called by the Savior on the shore of Lake Gennesaret. (Mt 4:18; Mk 1:16).

Upon agreement this message with the Gospel of John, this vocation is usually considered the 2nd one, which occurred after the return of Jesus from the wilderness (Gladkov B.I. Interpretation of the Gospel. St. Petersburg, 1907, p. 154-155). Later in the NT, A.P. is reported sporadically. He is mentioned among the 12 disciples of Christ, where he ranks 2nd, after ap. Peter (Mt 10.2; Lk 6.14), or the 4th, after Peter, James and John (Mk 3.18), place. Together with his countryman ap. Philip A.P., perhaps, occupied some special place in the community of the apostles: with a miraculous saturation of 5 thousand people. it is he who tells Jesus about the 5 loaves and 2 fishes (John 6:8-9), and in the story of the Hellenes who came to Jerusalem for Easter, Philip, to whom they first turned, conveyed their request to A.P., and together they went to Jesus (Jn 12:21-22). A.P., together with 3 chosen disciples of Christ, Peter, James and John, was a participant in the conversation of the Savior on the Mount of Olives about the coming end of the world (Mk 13.3). Among the 12 disciples, A.P. was present at the Last Supper and at the appearances of Christ to the apostles after the Resurrection, as well as at the Ascension of the Savior (Acts 1.13). The last thing known about A.P. from the NT is his participation, together with everyone else, in the selection of the 12th apostle instead of Judas Iscariot and the presence at the descent of the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost (Acts 2.1).

Early Christian and Byzantine tradition

Relatively later life A.P. already in antiquity there were 2 traditions. K ser. 2nd century according to R. Kh., the apocryphal "Andrew's deeds" ascend. According to their text, reconstructed primarily on the basis of the Book of Miracles by Gregory of Tours (Liber de virtutibus beati Andreae Apostoli, c. 591-592), the apostle began preaching the Gospel in the south. coast of the Black Sea, moving through Pontus and Bithynia to the west. Perhaps at the heart of this tradition lies the connection of the South. Black Sea region with app. Peter (1 Peter 1:1): later texts mention brothers preaching together. Having visited Amasia, Sinope, Nicaea and Nicomedia, A.P. crossed over to Byzantium (bud. K-pol) and ended up in Thrace, and from there to Macedonia, where he visited the cities of Philippi and Thessalonica. Then he went to Achaia, where he visited the cities of Patras, Corinth and Megara. Throughout the journey, the apostle performed numerous miracles and healings. Imprisoned in Patras, he accepted a martyr's death - crucifixion on the cross. Starting from the IX century. the death of the apostle is usually dated by the reign of imp. Nero (c. 67 A.D.). In a later apocryphal legend, "Andrew and Matthias deeds" (BHG, N 109-110), the action takes place in a certain "city of cannibals" Myrna (Mirmen, Myrmidon), identified no later than the 6th century. with Issulimen or Sinope. Dr. apocryphal texts associated with this tradition transfer A.P.’s sermon to the North-West. Persia (Greek: "Acts of Andrew and Bartholomew in the city of the Parthians", Arabic. "Martyrdom of Andrew among the Kurds").

Dr. a tradition going back at least to the 1st half. III century, reflected in Eusebius of Caesarea (Cherk. ist. III 1), to-ry, literally quoting the 3rd volume of Origen's "Explanation on Genesis", believes that M. Asia, Pontus and Bithynia were the apostolic lot of ap. Peter, while A.P. went to Scythia. This tradition was developed in the so-called. apostolic lists dating back to the lost Sir. texts of the 4th century. (Th. Schermann). In the early editions of these lists, the area of ​​preaching of A.P. was extended to all nomadic Iranian-speaking tribes related to the Scythians: Saks, Sogdians, Sarmatians; later, in the list of Pseudo-Epiphanius (VI-VII centuries), the preaching of A.P. in Scythia was combined with the martyrdom of the apostle in Patras described in the Acts of Andrew; then, in the list of Pseudo-Dorotheus (VIII-IX centuries), the material of the "Acts of Andrew" about the preaching of A.P. in Pontus was also added here; the same list also reflected the legend about the foundation of A.P. the episcopal see in Argyropolis, a suburb of Byzantium, which eventually became an important argument in the controversy between the K-field and Rome on the issue of the hierarchy of the Patriarchal Thrones (F. Dvornik).

In Byzantium, as a result of the processing of ancient legends, developed canonical lives of A.P. were created: Narratio (BHG, No. ”, created between 815 and 843. Epiphanius Monk, who followed the alleged path of A.P., collecting legends about him. Based on some fragmentary information of church writers (Pseudo-Clementines, Pseudo-Epiphanius, etc.), local traditions, including written ones (for example, the Khersak Alphabet), and the revised ending of the Acts of Andrew, Epiphanius placed the action of apocryphal sources in the context of the canonical Acts of the Apostles, eliminating fantastic elements and skipping those places of the sermon where he himself did not visit. This life has been preserved in 2 editions, which, apparently, belong to the pen of Epiphanius himself: the 1st, created as a continuation of the Acts of Andrew and Matthias (BHG, N 95b), and the 2nd, supplemented by information about the stay of the apostle in Palestine and M. Asia and abbreviated in some other parts (BHG, N 102).

According to Epiphanius, A.P. made 3 journeys from Jerusalem along the banks of the Black Sea, and always along the route south - east - north. In the 1st, together with Peter, he visited Antioch, Tiana, Ancyra, Sinope, where he freed Matthias from prison. Then Peter went to preach in the West. lands, A.P. moved east. In Amis, he, together with Matthias and 7 other disciples, preached in the synagogue, which he turned into a temple of the Virgin; from Trebizond A.P. came to Iberia and returned to Jerusalem through Parthia. On the next journey, the apostle from Antioch went to Ephesus together with St. John (the connection between A.P. and John is evidenced by ancient monuments, for example, the canon of Muratori of the 2nd century). From there, after the appearance of Christ, who commanded to go to Scythia, A.P. went to Phrygia and Nicaea, where he cast out demons, killed a dragon, pacified robbers and crushed idols (some of these miracles ascend through local tradition to the Acts of Andrew). After 2 years, he visited Nicomedia, Heraclius of Pontus, Amastris and Sinop, where the inhabitants beat him for the previous deliverance of Matthias and where he converted many to Christ, resurrecting the murdered citizen. From there he went to Amis, Trebizond and Samosata, where he debated with the Greek. philosophers. In the last, 3rd, journey, A.P. with his companions passed through Edessa, where he left ap. Thaddeus, to Iveria and Susania (Svaneti?). Leaving the app there. Matthias, he moved to Alania and Abazgia, where he parted with his other companion, ap. Simon the Canaanite. Through Zikhia, where A.P. barely escaped death, he arrived in the Bosporus, the inhabitants of which willingly listened to his sermons, and then to Feodosia and Chersonesus, “stubborn in paganism.” From there he crossed back to Sinop, where he installed Philologus as bishop, and from there through Chalcedon (where Bishop Tychik was installed) he arrived in Byzantium. Having made Stakhias bishop of Argyropol and laid the temple of the Mother of God on the acropolis, A.P. went through Heraclius Thrace and Macedonia to Patras. Epiphanius begins the Greek part of the life from the conversion of the apostle Maximilla, the wife of the Achaean proconsul Egeat, and his brother Stratocles, for which A.P. was imprisoned and then crucified on the cross (here the hagiographer follows the final part of the "Acts of Andrew", while mentioning the episodes, not preserved in any of the other texts).

All subsequent authors who wrote about A.P. Nikita relied on the “Life” of Epiphanius. David Paflagon compiled, on the basis of its 2nd edition, the Eulogy (encomium) of A.P. (BHG, N 106) and the life of the encomiast type - “Laudatio” (BHG, N 100), in which he added to the narrative of Epiphanius a mention of the sermon of A.P. in the village. Charax in Paphlagonia, about the appointment of Bishop. Palm tree in Amastris and history with Lesbia in Patras. Simeon Metaphrastus (BHG, N 101), who used the 1st edition of the "Life" of Epiphanius, extended the area of ​​​​A.P.'s sermon to the Danube and, like Nikita David, added the story of the transfer of the relics of the apostle to K-pol. Also known are several Byzantium Enkomiev A.P. (BHG, N 103-108). Further development Byzantium tradition received in Georgia and in Rus'.

In Georgia

the beginning of Christ. Sermons have long been associated with the name of A.P.: Georgians (Greek Gorsins) are mentioned in some manuscripts of the apostolic list of Pseudo-Epiphanius, Epiphanius the Monk has information about Iberians. List of Pseudo-Dorotheus no later than the 8th century. was transferred to the cargo. language and is included in the shipment. homiletic-liturgical coll. Klardzhetsky many-domed (IX century), reflecting the ancient (VI-VIII centuries) liturgical practice of the Georgian Church. In con. 10th century Rev. Evfimy Svyatogorets was transferred to the cargo. the language “Praise” (“Walking and Sermons of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called”) by Nikita Paflagon; already in the X-XI centuries. in app. and southwest. parts of Georgia, the original cargo was widely distributed. version of the "Praise" included by Leonty Mroveli in the 11th century. included in the cargo. Chronicle Sat. Kartlis Tskhovreba, which tells about the sermon of A.P. in the South-West. Georgia during his 3rd journey. According to the lot, Georgia went to the inheritance of the Rev. Theotokos, but in a vision the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Her, instructing her to send A.P. Simon the Zealot went first to Trebizond, where the Mingrelians (Greek Laz) lived. Having baptized them, A.P. went to Adzharia, performed many miracles there (in particular, with the help of the icon of the Mother of God, he brought out a source of healing water) and laid a c. in the name of the Rev. Mother of God, where he left a miraculous copy of Her image, attaching it to an ordinary board. Crossing the pass on the way to Samtskhe (Southern Georgia), the apostle erected an iron cross (“Rkinis jvari”) there. In with. Zaden-Gora A.P. crushed pagan idols. The special miracles of the apostle are associated with s. Atskuri, religion. and adm. the center of ancient Samtskhe (see also the Atskur diocese), where A.P. resurrected the son of the widow of the local ruler Samdzivari from the dead, after which the widow herself and the entire Samtskhi people converted to Christianity. Seeing that the local priests were furious and began to persuade the people to abandon the new faith, A.P. suggested that they leave the icon in the local temple of Apollo and Artemis for the night. The next morning, the statues of the pagan gods were broken, and the icon radiated radiance. At the request of the Samtskhi people, A.P. left the icon in a small chapel with. Atskuri (where the name of the icon came from - Atskurskaya; medieval Georgian historian Dzhuansher tells about a visit to it in the 7th century by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, who bowed to the miraculous shrine, widely known at that time, and laid a temple in its name). Then the apostle continued his preaching in Tao, Klarjeti, Megrelia, Abazgia and Svaneti, after which he headed north to preach Christianity to Ossetians and Dzhiks (Greek. Alans and Zikhs); having reached the city of Fostafor in Ossetia, he performed many miracles and baptized the Ossetians. The Jiki met A.P. with hostility and tried to kill him, and the apostle, once again visiting Abazgia and Megrelia, went to Scythia. The preaching activity of A.P. on the territory of Georgia was considered by the Georgian Church as an irrefutable fact. Based on this cargo. the theologians St. George the Svyatogorets and Ephraim Mtsire (2nd half of the 11th century) repeatedly defended the autocephalous rights of the Georgian Church in disputes with the Patriarchate of Antioch. Questions of the history of the conversion of Georgians st. Ephraim Mtsira dedicated a special work, in which he put forward a provision on 2 stages of the enlightenment of Georgia - the works of the Apostle A.P. and St. equal to ap. Nina. This provision was legalized in 1105 by the Ruiz-Urbnis Council of the Georgian Church. The reliability of information about the sermon of A.P. on the territory of modern. Georgia some cargo. scientists questioned (I. Javakhishvili, K. Kekelidze), however, the factual content of the load. versions of the life of A.P. (the route of the saint, ethnotoponymy, exact description social environment and everyday life) leaves this question open. In order to identify additional evidence of A.P.'s stay on the territory of Georgia, in 1988, archaeological excavations began in the vicinity of the village. Atskuri. Structures of the 5th c. BC - 1st century, traces of the acropolis of the 1st century, grave goods.

Veneration in Russia

The basis of the legends about A.P.’s visit to the Russian land is Origen’s testimony about Scythia as the apostolic lot of A.P. (Eusebius. Church. source III 1). As a result of the analysis of references to Scythia in the works of Publius Ovid Nason (43 BC - 18 AD), a poet, almost modern. A.P., one can delineate its limits at that time. This country, according to Ovid, occupied the territory north of Pontus Euxinus (Black Sea), stretching from the mountains of the Caucasus, Meotida (Azov Sea) and the river. Tanais (Don) to the river. Gipanis (Yuzh. Bug) in the west and included the Crimean Peninsula, and in the north bounded by the Scythian, or Riphean, mountains of uncertain localization (Podosinov A. poetic text // Ancient States on the territory of the USSR, 1983. M., 1984. S. 8, 22-23). According to a number of researchers, the ethnonym "Scythians" is Late Antique and Early Byzantine. the authors could designate other peoples who lived in the North. Black Sea region, i.e., on the former. Scythian lands. However, some Byzants. monuments (for example, “Narratio”) are understood as Scythia, in which A.P. preached, the so-called. M. Scythia - Rome. province and early Byzantium. church diocese at the mouth of the Danube (region of modern Dobruja, Romania). However, this province appeared only during the reforms of the imp. Diocletian (late 3rd century) and, therefore, did not exist at the time of Origen.

In the life of A.P., compiled by Epiphanius the Monk, it is reported that during the 3rd journey, the apostle, having passed along the South. and Vost. Black Sea coast, reached the Crimea and spent considerable time in Chersonese (PG. 120. Col. 215-260). This life enjoyed great authority in all orthodoxy. Churches, in con. 11th century his glory appeared. translation. In addition, an original legend was created in Rus' about a visit to A.P. Rus. limits - “The Word about the manifestation of Baptism in the Russian land of the holy Apostle Andrew, as he came to Rus'”, preserved in the composition of the PVL. According to this text, A.P., who arrived from Sinope to Korsun (Chersonese), learned about the proximity of the Dnieper mouth and “want to go to Rome”; climbing up the Dnieper, he blessed the place of Bud. Kyiv, and then went to the north, to the land of Slovenia, where Novgorod later arose; marveling at the local customs, the apostle departed for Rome, and from there returned to Sinop (PSRL. T. 1. St. 7-9).

By the 11th century refers to the growth of veneration for A.P. in Rus': in 1030 Vsevolod Yaroslavich, the youngest son of Prince. Yaroslav the Wise, received the name Andrei in baptism, in 1086 he founded the Andreevsky (Yanchin) monastery in Kyiv. In 1089, the Metropolitan of Pereyaslavl. Ephraim consecrated the stone cathedral he built in Pereyaslavl in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called, in con. 11th century in Novgorod, a temple was built in the name of St. Andrew the First-Called. At the same time, the memory of A.P. was included in all types of Russian. calendars. The oldest mentions of A.P. are in the gospels of the Gospels - Reims 1st floor. 11th century (L. 1v.), Ostromirova 1056-1057. (L. 243) and Arkhangelsk 1092 (L. 138v.). The Menaion of 1097 contains the service of A.P. (Yagich. S. 493-503).

From the 12th century the tradition of legends about A.P. in Russian continuously developed. Prologue. Included in the 1st edition Prologues short life A.P. “The Passion of the Holy, and Praiseworthy, and the First-Called Andrew, the Brother of the Great Peter” (RNB. Sof. No. 1324. L. 74ob.-75, end of the XII - beginning of the XIII century; State Historical Museum Khlud. 187. L. 71ob. - 73, 1282), in the Prologue of the 2nd edition - also "The Word on the manifestation of the Baptism of the Russian land" (RGADA. Type. No. 153, 161, 164, XIV century). In the 1st floor. 14th century the life of A.P. was again translated into Slav. language (apparently by the Serbs on Athos) as part of the Stish Prologue. It is found in large numbers in Yugoslavia. and Russian lists of the XIV-XVII centuries. An “updated” edition is also known, in which both texts about A.P. are combined - the life and the “Word on the manifestation of Baptism of the Russian land” (the most early list- RNB. Soph. No. 1374, before 1513). In hagiographic literature, the “Word” is first found in the life of St. Stephen of Perm, written by Epiphanius the Wise c. 1420

In VMC under 30 Nov. a selection of texts dedicated to A.P. (Joseph, archim. Table of contents VMC. Stb. 209-210) is placed. In addition to the prologue life and the Tale of A.P.’s journey to Russia, the VMCH contains a translation of the Acts of Andrew and Matthias (BHG, N 109), the 1st edition of the Life of Epiphanius the Monk (BHG, N 95b), an excerpt from the Tale Symeon Metaphrastus (BHG, N 101b) and the commendation of Proclus, Patriarch of K-Polish (BHG, N 103).

The memory of A.P. is celebrated in all east. and app. calendars. According to the Typicon of the Great c. IX-X centuries on the day of memory of A.P., a litiya was made in the church of the Holy Apostles, where the relics of A.P. were located; where he served. A.P. had his own troparion, which indicates his special veneration. In the Studian-Aleksievsky Typicon of 1034 (GIM. Syn. No. 330. L. 101-101v., XII century) and the Evergetid Typicon of the 1st half. 12th century (Dmitrievsky. Description. T. 1. 328-329) the service of A.P. is indicated in composition similar to the six-fold one (see Signs of the holidays of the month), and the Evergetid Typicon allows for the possibility of singing the canon of A.P. instead of the ordinary canon of Octoechos at pannihis. According to Southern Italian editions of the Studian statute - the Messinian Typicon of 1131 (Arranz. Typicon. P. 63-64) - in the service of A.P., Vespers is similar to that performed during the glorification service, and Matins is similar to polyeleos - with the reading of the Gospel, as well as with the replacement of kathismas with antiphons (Ps 18, 19, 20). According to the Jerusalem Typicons - the first printed Russian. 1610, which is now used in the Russian Orthodox Church (Tipikon. T. 1. S. 297), as well as what is accepted in the present. time in Greek Churches, - A.P., a polyeleos service is performed.

Following A.P., placed in modern. Greek service Menaia, completely coincides with the modern. Slavic. Troparion A. P. 4th tone " ", kontakion of the 2nd voice" ”and the canon of the 1st voice of A.P., compiled by John the Monk (additions to it and discrepancies published according to the manuscripts of the Vienna National Library by K. Hannik - Hannick C. Studien zu liturgische Handshriften der Osterreichischen Nationalbibliothek. W., 1972. S 36), are already indicated in the Studial Typicons and Menaions, as Greek. (for example, RNB. Greek. 227-1. L. 156-157ob., XII century), and Slav. (RGADA. Syn. type. No. 91, 1097; RGADA. Syn. type. No. 92, XII century. L. 199-204ob.-Yagich. Service Menaia. S. 493-504). The corpus of stichera and sedals dates back to the time of the Studian Rule, but many stichera and sedals appear only in the Jerusalem Menaion; among the stichera there are self-vowels, inscribed in printed liturgical books with the names of Andrew of Jerusalem, Anatoly, Herman. In the Jerusalem Menaia, among the texts of the service of A.P., the memory of which is celebrated on the days of the Nativity Fast, there are several. the stichera of the pre-feast of the Nativity of Christ, which are not indicated in the monuments of the Studien tradition. The Jerusalem Menaions also contain the 2nd canon of A.P. and the canon of the Mother of God of the 1st tone, anonymous, without an acrostic.

In the Typicon of the Great Church, the Studial and Jerusalem Typikons, following the Polish system of liturgical readings, at the liturgy, as in the present. time, the prokeimenon, the apostolic reading, the alleluiarium and the general communion to the apostle are indicated, the gospel reading is special, about the calling of A.P. by the Lord (Jn 1. 35-51); Typicon of the Great c. indicates a reading from Matthew 4. 18-23.

From the manuscripts of Christ. East XI-XIV centuries. 4 canons are known that were not included in the printed Menaion, hymnographers Herman, George, Andrei and anonymous (Ταμεῖον. Ν 297-300. Σ. 110-111). In the Serbian the service Menaion (Athos, Zografsky Monastery, No. 53 (88), 1st half of the 13th century) contains the canon of A.P. of the 4th tone, written by St. Naum Ohridsky († 910), with an acrostic: "" (S. Kozhukharov. Songwriting on the Old Bulgarian scribe Naum Ohridsky // Literary History. Sofia, 1984. No. 12. P. 3-19). Troparion A. P. 3rd tone, indicated in the Typicon of the Great c. "Τῆς νοητῆς θαλάσσης τοὺς ἀνθρωποβόρους ἰχθύας ἐσαγήνευσας" (Mateos . Typicon. T. 1. P. 116) and translated into Slav. the language in the Prologue of the 1st edition - "" (RNL. Sof. No. 1324. L. 74ob.-75, late XII - early XIII century), - was not included in the printed liturgical books.

In 1867, A. N. Muravyov compiled an akathist to A. P. (Ponomarev S. I. Akathists: (Bibliographic notes). St. Petersburg, 1890. P. 11; Akathist. M., 1994. T. 1. pp. 117-125).

In the hymnographic texts (Minea (ST). November. L. 282-294v.) A.P. is called a relative of the ap. Peter, a student of St. John the Baptist, after become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. The meaning of the name Andrei (Greek - courageous) is played out: “ "(kondak). The calling of A.P. Peter is described: “ ”(troparion of the 4th song of the 2nd canon), the apostolic sermon of A.P., especially among the pagans. The death of A.P. on the cross is described: “” (troparion of the 8th song of the 2nd canon of A.P.), also noted in the epigram on the apostles John Mauropod, Met. Evchaitsky (XI century). Healings through the prayer of A.P. and miracles from his honest relics are mentioned. A.P. is named the heavenly patron of the city of Patras: “ "(4th stichera on Praise).

A . YU . Nikiforova, O. V. Loseva

Iconography

Along with the apostles Peter and Paul, he is represented in many gospel stories and deeds of the apostles. The earliest images of him are preserved on a fresco from the catacomb in Karmuz (Egypt), IV-VI centuries; rare individual images - on an ivory diptych, 450-460. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London), and ampoules (for example, on a ceramic ampule from Dvin). In Byzantium. in hagiographic literature there are references to the miraculous images of A.P.: according to Epiphanius the Monk, the ancient image of the apostle, written on marble, was in the chapel in Sinop .; others - over the gates of the house of John Scholasticus near Perdix in the K-field.

Already in the early monuments, the appearance of A.P. has pronounced individual features: gray tousled hair and a short thick beard; like other apostles, he is dressed in a tunic with claves and a himation. According to the description of Epiphanius Monk, "he was not small in bodily constitution, but tall, nosy, eyebrows, slightly hunched."

A. P. is represented in the domed mosaic of the Orthodox Baptistery (Ravenna), ser. V c., - with a wreath in his hands; in the oratory of the Archbishop's Chapel (Ravenna), 494-519, - bust, in a medallion; in c. San Vitale (Ravenna), ca. 547; in the apse of the catholicon of the mon-rya vmts. Catherine at Sinai, 550-565; on the fresco of the apse of the VI chapel in Bauit (Egypt), VI century, - with the Gospel; in the apse Santa Maria Antiqua (Rome), 705-707, and others. In post-iconoclastic times, A.P. was usually depicted with a scroll in his hand, for example, on the mosaics of the narthex of Osios Loukas in Phokis (Greece), 30- e gg. XII century, or with a cross on a long shaft - on the mosaic of the apse of c. Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello, c. 1130; Chapel of the Sacramento Cathedral in Trieste, 1st floor. XII century; Cathedral at Cefalu in Sicily, c. 1148

“The Baptism of the Lord” (the church of Panagia Mavriotissa in Kastoria (Greece), end of the 12th century); on the icons "Cathedral of the 12 Apostles" (1st third of the 14th century; Pushkin Museum; c. 1432; NGOMZ).

The martyrdom of A.P., crucified on the cross (called "St. Andrew's"), is presented in the Minology of Basil II (Vat. gr. 1613. R. 215, 976-1025); on the icon "The Menaion for September, October, November", XII century. (monastery of the martyr. Catherine in Sinai) a crucifixion of A.P. was placed on a tree. In the XVII-XIX centuries. this iconography was developed in Russian. icon painting (for example, “Apostolic Deeds and Sufferings”, XVII century (GMMK)). This theme was common in the Catholic. art.

The special veneration of A.P. in Rus' was reflected in his image on the miniature of the Radzivilov Chronicle (BAN OR. 34. 5. 30. L. 3ob.; end of the 15th century).

Along with the images of the supreme apostles, the image of A.P. was often introduced into the high iconostasis, where it was usually placed opposite the ap. John the Theologian: on an icon from the iconostasis of 1408 of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir (TG); on an icon from a deesis of 1444-1445. c. Dormition from Paromenia in Pskov (PIAM) - in a red chiton and a dark green himation, with the Gospel in his hands; on the icon of the 15th century. from the Deesis (Museum-Reserve "Dmitrovsky Kremlin"), on the Rostov icon from the Deesis tier, end. 15th century (GMZRK), - with a scroll in hand. On the icon, ser. 16th century (CAC MDA) it is presented together with arch. Michael; on the image from the Nikolo-Koryazhemsky monastery (before 1661; SIHM) - full-length, in prayer to Christ; on the Vologda icon “Ap. Andrew the First-Called in his life "1717 (VGIAHMZ). A complete cycle of 80 miniatures with the life of A.P. is contained in a manuscript of the 17th century. (OLDP F 137. L. 1-96ob).

Lit .: Ré au L. L "origine de la croix de Saint-André // Mémoires de la Societé des antiquaires de France, 1932; idem. Iconographie de l" art chrétien. P., 1958. Vol. 3. P. 76-84; Lechner M. Andreas // LCI. bd. 5. 1973. Sp. 138-152; Pillinger R. Der Apostel Andreas: Ein Heliger von Ost und West im Bild der frühen Kirche. W., 1994.

N. V. Kvlividze

A brief biography of Andrew the First-Called describes how a simple fisherman became an apostle of Christ. Together with other witnesses of the Resurrection of his Teacher, the apostle, which means a witness, fermented the entire universe with a new saving faith, unseen and unthinkable before. It was such an innovation that everyone who met Andrei was inflamed either with love and devotion to God, or with rejection and hatred. Apostle Andrew the First-Called was the one who enlightened you and me through his mission in modern Ukraine and Russia. Today, many places in the Crimea still testify to this - even the temples that the apostle himself began to build have survived.

Apostle Andrew was a Galilean, a countryman of the sons of Zebedee - the apostles John and James. Having first become a disciple of John the Baptist, he was the first to respond to the call of the Savior to preach. Due to the fact that he was honored to be the first to follow Christ, he was called the First-Called. The future apostle follows the Messiah, preceding John and Peter.

Life of Andrew the First-Called

Andrew the First-Called lived in the north of the Holy Land in a place called Galilee. Since the area bordered on Greece, there was much communication between the two peoples. That's why Andrew got himself Greek name, which means "Courageous". From his youth, the future apostle retained his chastity and his ardent desire to serve God; he first responded to the preaching of John the Baptist and was one of his disciples. After the baptism of Christ and the indication of the Forerunner about Him that "behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world", the Apostle Andrew, without hesitation, followed Him. With him was John, the future beloved disciple of Christ. This is how the first four apostles appeared: Andrew called his brother, the future apostle Peter, and now just Simon, and John called James: “We have found the Messiah!”

Saint Andrew the First-Called was with Christ from the very beginning of his preaching, and until the last: he was with him during the revelation of the Lord about the fate of the world, he told who had five loaves and two fish before the miracle of multiplication. He was with Him on the Mount of Olives, where Christ ascended into heaven after His Resurrection.

According to the promise of the Savior, on the 50th day after His Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and Mother of God. The apostles, after being enlightened by grace and filled with many holy gifts, went out to preach. In Zion's upper room, they cast lots - to whom, in which country to go to preach. Apostle Andrew got our lands - the north of the Black Sea. In his wanderings, he reached the future Kyiv, where he erected a cross and predicted that the Lord would enlighten this land with Holy Baptism and erect many churches on it.

After returning to Greece, for many healings and conversions to Christianity, the apostle Andrew shared the fate of most of the other apostles: he was crucified by an ungodly pagan ruler. But he was crucified in such a way that his torment lasted longer. To do this, they tied him to a cross resembling the letter X, without nailing it, so that the saint would not die quickly. After two days of suffering, in prayer the apostle departed to the Lord, and those present saw how a bright light illuminated the cross with the martyr, and in this radiance he betrayed his soul.

Veneration of Saint Andrew the First-Called

The Apostle Andrew is considered the patron saint of the Russian Church, since she, the direct heir of Byzantium, took over the succession that the Church of Constantinople led from Andrew the First-Called.

In Russia, his memory was always solemnly celebrated - to a greater extent before the revolution. Special reverence was introduced by Peter 1 - the highest award order named after him and approved the St. Andrew's flag, under which many victories were made. The flag depicts an X-shaped cross - blue on a white background - on which the apostle was crucified.

The relics of St. Andrew are kept in the Greek city of Patras, at the site of the crucifixion of the apostle. In 1974, a grandiose cathedral named after him, known throughout the world, was erected here.

Andrew the First-Called: what are they praying for?

Andrew the First-Called is the patron saint of Ukraine and Russia, as well as other countries located in the territory where he preached: this modern greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Asia Minor. He also patronizes fishermen and sailors. Andreevsky battle banner is known all over the world: since the 17th century it has been the state flag of the Russian navy. Andrew the First-Called is prayed for conversion to the holy faith, for success in the defense of the fatherland, for the well-being of seafarers.

From the Holy Tradition, there are cases not only of trouble-free healing, but also of the resurrection of people by Andrew: like other apostles, he repeatedly used the gift of Christ and brought people back to life. Therefore, he can pray for healing from diseases.

At the site of his martyrdom, a spring filled with water, which has the property of healing. Now there is a huge cathedral named after him. Glorious for its splendor, it was built for almost 60 years.

Prayer to Andrew the First-Called

Prayer honors the memory of St. Andrew the First-Called. Believers pray for healing and health.

Prayer to Saint Andrew the First-Called

First-Called Apostle of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Supreme Follower of the Church, All-Praised Andrew! We glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, we sweetly remember your blessed coming to us, we bless your honest suffering, even if you suffered for Christ, we kiss your sacred relics, we honor your holy memory and we believe that the Lord lives, your soul is alive, and with you remain with him forever in heaven, even if you do not leave us with your love, as if you loved our fathers, when by the Holy Spirit you saw the conversion of our land to Christ. We believe, as if praying to God for us, in vain in the light of His all our needs. We confess this faith in your temple, and we pray to the Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, that by your prayers we will be given all that is necessary for the salvation of us sinners: yes, even if you are abie to the voice of the Lord, leave your wounds, you followed Him unswervingly, and every one of us does not seek his own, but hedgehog for the creation of his neighbor, and thinks about the high rank. Having the same intercessor and intercessor for us, we hope that your prayer can do much before the Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ, He deserves all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion to Andrew the First-Called

Like the apostles, the first-called and supreme brother of the Lord of all, Andrew, pray, grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion to Andrew the First-Called

Let us praise the courage of the namesake diviner and the Church’s superintendent, Petrov’s relative, for as long ago and now we call: come, find the Desired One.

Briefly examining the biography of Andrew the First-Called, we see a courageous man, fearless in the face of inhuman trials: preaching among wild, barbaric peoples was doubly courageous, if we recall the customs of wild pagans. But the love of Christ burned in his heart, and therefore today we are enlightened by the faith of Christ. Let us appreciate the merits of our patron, and remember his life, which is so instructive for us.