SAINT ANDREW

St Andrew was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee and was the brother of Simon Peter, and son of Jonah. Both he and his brother Peter were fishermen by trade, and so Jesus called them to be his disciples by saying that he would make them "fishers of men". At the beginning of Jesus' public life, they were said to have lived in the same house as Jesus in Capernaum.

The Gospel of John states that St Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony led him to follow Jesus. When John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Andrew understood that Jesus was greater. At once he left John the Baptist to follow the Divine Master. Jesus knew that Andrew was walking behind him, and turning back, he asked, "What do you seek?" When Andrew answered that he would like to know where Jesus lived, Our Lord replied, "Come and see." Andrew had spent only a little time with Jesus when he realized that this was truly the Messiah.

St Andrew was the first disciple of Christ St Andrew was the first disciple of Christ. He brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus and Jesus received him, too, as His disciple. At first the two brothers continued to carry on their fishing trade and family affairs, but later, the Lord called them to a closer companionship with him, and so they stayed with Jesus all the time. He promised to make them fishers of men, and this time, they left their nets behind for good. St Andrew was present at the Last Supper; witnessed the Ascension; shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost, and helped, amid threats and persecution, to establish the Faith in Palestine.

It is believed that after Our Lord ascended into Heaven, St It is believed that after Our Lord ascended into Heaven, St. Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel. St Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion in Achaea. He was bound to the cross by order of the Roman Governor (not nailed) in order to prolong his suffering. It is said that St Andrew was put on a Latin cross of the same kind on which Jesus is said to have been crucified. St Andrew supposedly deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus had been, though of course, the privilege of choosing one's own method of execution was, and still is, a rare privilege. He lived two days in that state of suffering, still preaching to the people who gathered around their beloved Apostle.

St Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen, as well as both Russia and Scotland.

TRIVIA…

Where was St Andrew born?

2. Who was St Andrew’s brother?

3. Who was St Andrew’s father?

4. What was St Andrew’s trade?

5. What is the name of the place where St Andrew shared a house with Jesus?

6. Who was St Andrew first a disciple of?

7. What did Jesus ask St Andrew when he was walking behind him?

8. What was St Andrew’s response?

9. True or false, St Andrew was the 2nd disciple of Christ.

10. When Jesus promised to make St Andrew and his brother “fishers of men”, what did he mean?

11. What 3 major events was St Andrew present at?

12. After Jesus died, where did St Andrew go to preach the gospel?

13. Where was St Andrew martyred?

14. Was St Andrew bound or nailed to the cross?

15. What did St Andrew deem himself unworthy of?

16. How long did St Andrew live in a state of suffering?

17. What are the 3 things St Andrew is listed as being the patron saint of?