Today, Nov 29/ Dec 12. we celebrate the Holy Apostle Andrew. Besides taking the opportunity to eat fish during the Nativity Fast, due to St Andrew's feast. it would be good to learn a few things about this holy Apostle. The followiong are some simple things about St Andrew, in a Q&A format.
From http://www.orthodox.net/questions/apostle-andrew.html
QUESTION 1
The Holy Apostle Andrew has a "nick-name". Examples of other "nick-names" are: John "the dwarf", James "the brother of the Lord", John "the Theologian", etc. What is St Andrew's nick-name? Why?
The Holy Apostle Andrew is known as the "First Called", because he was the first among the twelve apostles the Lord chose to follow Him.
QUESTION 2
Who was the Apostles Andrew's brother, where were they from, and what was their profession?
Simon Peter was the elder brother of Andrew. They were fishermen, in Bethsaida of Galilee, near the sea of Galilee.
"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers." (Mat 4:18)
"Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter." (John 1:44)
QUESTION 3
St Andrew was formerly a follower of someone else before following Jesus. Who? Explain.
At first St Andrew followed St John the Baptist, but then, hearing the Forerunner speak of Jesus, he became Jesus' disciple.
"Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; {36} And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! {37} And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. {38} Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? {39} He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. {40} One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother." (John 1:35-40)
QUESTION 4
What great favor did St Andrew do to his brother, on the day he met Christ? He made a bold statement. Explain.
He told his brother that he had found the Messiah, and brought Peter to Jesus.
"One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. {41} He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. {42} And he brought him to Jesus." (John 1:40-42)
QUESTION 5
After the giving of the Holy Spirit, St Andrew preached the gospel in many places. One place is particularly dear to Russian Orthodox Christians. Where? Describe the incident.
After preaching around Byzantium and the Black Sea, St Andrew traveled north, reaching the River Dnieper in the land of Russia. He halted on the shore beneath the hills of Kiev, the future site of the city of Kiev and the great monastery of the Kiev caves. There, he said to his disciples who accompanied him: "Believe me: on these hills the grace of God will shine forth. There will be a great city here, and the Lord will raise many churches in this place and enlighten all of the Russian land with holy baptism." Ascending the hills, he blessed them and planted a cross, foretelling the conversion of the people and land of Russia.
QUESTION 6
Who was St Andrew's wife?
St Andrew had no wife; he was a virgin.
QUESTION 7
How did the Holy Apostle Andrew die?
St Andrew healed of a disease of the eyes and then converted Maximilla, the wife of Aegeates, proconsul of the city of Patras in the Peloponnese, for which he was tortured and beaten and finally on an x-shaped cross. From his cross he preached and exhorted the people, converting many to the true Faith. Aegeates, fearing the people, sent servants to take the apostle down from the cross, but they were unable to approach and could not see the saint for the brilliant light which surrounded him as he prayed. When the light dissipated, he surrendered his spirit to the Lord. After Andrew's death, Aegeates was possessed by a demon and died in torment in the midst of the city.
"Most gloriously let us praise the apostle Andrew, the brother of Peter, the first of all the disciples, the beholder and servant of Him Who is the Word, for he enlighteneth the nations and, crucified, met his end as a disciple of the Master." (second Exapostilarion from the service for St. Andrew)
QUESTION 8
How does St Andrew appear in icons?
St Andrew is shown in icons as an older man, with long grey hair and beard.
QUESTION 9
Here are some liturgical questions about the commemoration of St Andrew.
- What is the "rank" of the service for St Andrew?
- The vespers has how many readings? What type of books in the bible? Why?
The service for St Andrew is of polyeleos rank, the second highest rank.
- In Vespers are read three readings from the epistles of the Apostle Peter.
- All apostles are given readings from the epistles
QUESTION 10
What feast do we begin to sing more about on St Andrew's day? Look at the theotokia for Lord I have cried and the Aposticha for a hint.
We begin to hasten preparations for the Nativity of our Lord. The theotokia for "Lord I have cried" and the Aposticha are taken from the service for the Forefeast of the Nativity.
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