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the Apostle

Apostle of Christ

St. Andrewthe Apostle

St. Andrew the Apostle, brother of St. Peter, is commemorated in the Coptic Synaxarium on 4 Kiahk.

Principal commemoration 4 Kiahk

The Story

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St. Andrew the Apostle was the brother of St. Peter and is honored among the saints as the First-called of the disciples. A fisherman of Bethsaida in Galilee, he was first a disciple of St. John the Baptist, and when the Forerunner pointed to the Lamb of God, Andrew followed Christ and abode with Him that day. Then he found his own brother Simon and brought him to Jesus, saying, "We have found the Messiah" (John 1:40-42 (John 1:40-42)). Thus the one who was first called became the first to bring another to the Savior.

Content

Andrew walked with the Lord throughout His ministry. It was he who pointed to the lad with five barley loaves and two small fishes before the feeding of the multitude (John 6:8-9 (John 6:8-9)), and with St. Philip he brought the inquiring Greeks to Christ (John 12:20-22 (John 12:20-22)). After the Lord's Resurrection and Ascension, having received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles cast lots for the nations, and Andrew went forth to preach the Gospel in the lands appointed to him.

The Coptic Synaxarium remembers his labors in many regions, among the Scythians and along the shores of the Black Sea, and his mission to Lydda and the land of the Kurds, where he taught, baptized, and strengthened believers. At Lydda many had already believed through Peter. Andrew came with his disciple Philemon, whose reading of the psalm against idols moved the hearts of those who had come against the church (Psalm 115:4-8 (Psalms 115:4-8)). Instead of resisting the Gospel, they entered, bowed, heard Andrew's teaching, and believed in Christ.

The Synaxarium also joins his mission with that of St. Bartholomew. Together they preached among hard-hearted peoples until many came to the knowledge of God. The Lord confirmed the apostle's word with signs and wonders, healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits, and the Lord Himself appeared to strengthen him in his trials. Andrew endured beatings and imprisonment, yet his faith did not waver, and the Gospel spread through his patient endurance.

At last, in the city of Patras in Greece, the apostle was seized for confessing Christ. He was bound to a cross shaped like the letter X, that he might suffer long and the longer glorify his Lord. Hanging upon it for several days, he ceased not to preach the word of salvation to those who gathered around him, until he commended his spirit into the hands of God and received the unfading crown of martyrdom. As it is written, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10 (Revelation 2:10)).

May his prayers be with us. Amen.

Titles

Apostle of Christ

Preacher of the Gospel

Witness of the Resurrection

Servant of the Word

Herald of the Kingdom

Feasts

Principal commemoration4 Kiahk

Madeeh · salutations to the Apostle

The Hymn

A best-effort translation for meaning — not the original poetic text.

Peace to you, St. Andrew the Apostle, apostle of the Lord of hosts.

You witnessed to the living Christ and preached the salvation of life.

You called your brother to Christ and followed the light with joy.

Pray for us before the Lord, that He may forgive our failings.

With the holy apostles and all the disciples of the Savior,

establish us in the faith and keep our love from growing cold.