Saint Andrew the Apostle
12 X 16 - acrylic on birch panel
Depicted here as he might have looked setting out as a "fisher of men". The apostles were no weaklings --- their journey was difficult and dangerous, their task monumental --- they were moved by what they had witnessed in Christ and they were guided by the Holy Spirit.
FIRST CALLED: St. Andrew was a fisherman, a native of Bethsaida, a town in Galilee. He was the son of Jonah, a fisherman and the brother of Simon Peter.
Andrew means “courageous.” In the Orthodox tradition his name translated is Protokletos which means, First-called since Andrew was the Apostle that Jesus called first. As Jesus told them, “Come and I will make you fishers of men.”
-- Matthew 4:19
He had a special knack for engaging individuals and introducing them to Christ. He brought his brother, St. Simon Peter, to Christ (John 1:41).
After Christ’s Ascension, Andrew preached in Asia Minor and Macedonia. According to tradition, he was martyred at Patras in Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in a shape of an “X,” the first letter of the word, “Christ,” in Greek.
Feast day: November 30th
The Saltire or “St. Andrew’s Cross” is the national flag of Scotland. Several legends state that the relics of Andrew were brought by divine guidance from Constantinople to the place where the modern Scottish town of St. Andrews stands today.
NOTE: In art, Saint Andrew is often depicted with unkempt hair, the saltire and holding a small scroll.
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