November 30 : Saint Andrew

Saint Andrew was the brother of Saint Peter and, like him, a fisherman. He was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, but on hearing him say one day, “Behold the Lamb of God!” pointing as he did so to our Blessed Lord, he immediately followed Him, and was the first called of the Apostles. He lost no time, after that, in bringing his brother to our Lord, who admitted him among His disciples, and changed his name from Simon to that of Peter. Saint Andrew carried the light of the Gospel into Scythia, Sogdiana, Colchis, Epirus, Pontus, and Achaia. He was apprehended by Egeas, the proconsul, imprisoned, and most cruelly beaten. He was crucified at Patras, in Achaia, on a cross in the form of the letter X; and after hanging on it for two days, preaching to the people, he gave up his blessed soul, encompassed by a great light, a.d. 69.