Andrew

“One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed).” John 1:40-41

Today is the Feast of Andrew. Happy St. Andrew’s Day! As a person of Scottish descent who lived in St. Andrews for a year, this is a special day at the Dispatch offices. I’ll likely celebrate with a wee dram tonight!

Andrews is the patron saint of Scotland because legend holds that his relics were moved from Constantinople to the site of modern St. Andrews. Whatever happened to Andrew’s relics after he died, we know that he played a significant role in Jesus’ life and ministry. In the Orthodox tradition  he is considered the Protokletos, the First-Called. Having been called, he invites his brother, Simon Peter, to meet Jesus. The rest, as they say, is history. Simon becomes Peter, the Rock, but only because Andrew first introduced him to Jesus.

Tradition holds that Andrew was martyred in Patras in AD 60. Because he did not view himself worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord, he was killed not on a Latin cross but on a crux decussata, a diagonal cross known as a saltire.

As I’ve noted previously, our son, Anders, bears the name of this Apostle in witness to his faithfulness. May we all be faithful in following Jesus, and in extending the invitation for others to do the same. With Andrew, we have found the Messiah.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

Saving God, we thank you for the witness of Andrew and all the saints and martyrs. May we be bold in our witness to the gospel and faithful in following our Savior’s call. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: The boys raising the Saltire.