Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle

November 30 is the Feast of St. Andrew, a day widely celebrated throughout the world. Perhaps more than any other Apostle, St. Andrew is claimed as the patron of many nations, including Scotland, Greece, Russia, and Ukraine. Before it fell to the Turks in 1453, St. Andrew was considered the patron of Constantinople (Istanbul) and the founder of its Patriarchate.

For Catholics following the Divine Office, Matins provides readings recounting St. Andrew’s heroic martyrdom following his numerous successful missions to spread the Gospel throughout Europe and Asia Minor.

 

After the death and Resurrection of Christ, Andrew was allotted Scythia as the province of his preaching, and, after labouring there, he went through Epirus and Thrace, where he turned vast multitudes to Christ by his teaching and miracles. Finally, he went to Patras in Achaia, and there also he brought many to the knowledge of Gospel truth. Aegeas the Pro-consul resisted the preaching of the Gospel, and the Apostle freely rebuked him, bidding him know that while he held himself a judge of his fellow men, he was himself hindered by devils from knowing Christ our God, the Judge of all.

Come a short while after, [Andrew] was brought before the judgment-seat, where he extolled the mystery of the cross, and rebuked Aegeas for his ungodliness. Then Aegeas could bear with him no longer, but commanded him to be crucified, in imitation of Christ. Andrew, then, was led to the place of martyrdom, and, as soon as he came in sight of the cross, he cried out, O precious cross, which the Members of my Lord have made so goodly, how long have I desired thee! how warmly have I loved thee! how constantly have I sought thee! And, now that thou art come to me, how is my soul drawn to thee! Welcome me from among men, and join me again to my Master, that as by thee He redeemed me, so by thee also He may take me unto Himself. So he was fastened to the cross, whereon he hung living for two days, during which time he ceased not to preach the faith of Christ, and, finally, passed into the Presence of Him the likeness of Whose death he had loved so well. All the above particulars of his last sufferings were written by the Priests and Deacons of Achaia, who bear witness to them of their own knowledge. Under the Emperor Constantine the bones of the Apostle were first taken to Constantinople, whence they were afterwards brought to Amalfi. In the Pontificate of Pope Pius II his head was carried to Rome, where it is kept in the Basilica of St. Peter."

For Greek Catholics in Eastern Europe, St. Andrew’s Day is kept liturgically as a Polyeleos (“Much Mercy”) ranked feast, that is, a feast distinguished by the majestic chanting of Psalms 134 and 135 at Matins, a special Gospel and hymns, and Old Testament readings at Vespers. This is due to the fact that pious tradition holds that St. Andrew visited the borderlands of modern-day Ukraine and traveled up the Dnieper River to the future site of the city of Kyiv, planted a cross, and prophesied that the Eastern Slavic lands would one day accept Christ.

As a sample of the Byzantine hymnography for the day makes clear, St. Andrew’s feast is not just a day to commemorate this holy Apostle, but also a day of looking forward to the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ while highlighting St. Andrew’s initial calling as a follower of St. John the Baptist.

 

When the all-holy Word became incarnate, granting us life, heralded by the voice of the Forerunner, announcing the glad tidings of salvation unto them on earth, then didst Thou dedicate thyself to Him as first fruits, as the best of offerings, and didst proclaim Him as our God, to thy kinsman. Him do thou beseech, that He save and enlighten our souls.

Leaving behind the netting of fish, O apostle, thou dost trap men with the rod of thy preaching, lowering the lure of piety as a hook and drawing forth all the nations from the depths of falsehood, O apostle Andrew, who art the blood relation of the pre-eminent one. O clarion-voiced herald of the whole world, fail not in thy prayers in behalf of us that with love and faith ever praise thine honored memory.

St. Andrew’s Day also marks the beginning of a special Christmas devotion which carries special graces for those who keep it with faith. Traditionally, the following prayer is recited each day until Christmas.

 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen."