Saint Andrew
Feast day: November 30
Saint Andrew, a fisherman and Peter’s brother, who led others to meet Jesus (30/11)
Who is he?
Saint Andrew is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, the brother of Saint Peter. He is known for often bringing others to the Lord. The Eastern Churches call him “the First-Called,” and they love him very much.
Life story
Andrew was a fisherman from Bethsaida, by the Sea of Galilee. At first, he was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist. One day, seeing Jesus walk by, Saint John said: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Hearing this, Andrew and another disciple followed Jesus and stayed with him the rest of that day (cf. Jn 1:35-39).
His heart was so full of joy that he couldn’t keep it to himself. He ran to find Simon and said: “We have found the Messiah” (Jn 1:41). Then he brought Simon to meet Jesus. That same Simon later became Saint Peter, the leader of the Apostles.
Before the miracle of the loaves, in the middle of a hungry crowd, Andrew said to Jesus: “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish” (Jn 6:9). From that little bit of bread and fish, Jesus fed thousands of people until they were full. Another time, some Greeks wanted to see Jesus; Andrew and Saint Philip went to tell Jesus what they asked (cf. Jn 12:20-22).
After the Holy Spirit came down, he went out to preach the Gospel. According to tradition, he went to Greece and was martyred in the city of Patras, on an X-shaped cross. Tradition also tells that he joyfully greeted the cross, because through it he would become like his Master. Today, his relics are venerated in Amalfi, Italy. He is the patron saint of Scotland and Russia.
Why is he a saint?
Saint Andrew followed Jesus right away as soon as someone pointed him out. He did not keep the joy of meeting the Lord to himself, but brought his brother and many others to him. He faithfully preached the Gospel and dared to give his life for Jesus.
A lesson for you
- When you are happy to know Jesus, invite a friend, a brother or a sister to come to Mass and catechism with you.
- Don’t think you are too small to do anything: like the boy’s five loaves, God can use the small things you offer him.
- Pray for your brothers and sisters to grow closer to God.
Identifying marks
- An X-shaped cross: according to tradition, he was crucified on a cross like this, which is why it is now called “Saint Andrew’s cross.”
- The lake and fishing boats: he was a fisherman in Galilee before he followed Jesus.
- An old man with graying hair and beard (on this card his hand reaches out as if inviting): pictures and statues usually show him as older; the inviting gesture recalls that he led others to meet Jesus.
- A net and fish (*): they recall how Jesus called them to be “fishers of men” (cf. Mt 4:19).
(*) Only in some pictures and statues.
The text on this page is the saint card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
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