The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Andrew
Each year on November 30, Christians worldwide honor the life and legacy of a devoted disciple and father of the early Church, St. Andrew. Known as the “Protocletus” or “First-Called,” his feast day offers a unique moment of reflection, often falling at a transition in the liturgical calendar—sometimes at the close of Ordinary Time and other times at the beginning of Advent. This timing highlights St. Andrew’s unique role in salvation history, standing at the threshold of Jesus’ public ministry and his call for others to follow him.
Who Was St. Andrew?
We first encounter Andrew in the Gospel of John, where he initially appears as a disciple of John the Baptist. One day, as John the Baptist was walking with two of his followers, including Andrew,
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[John] looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.”
John 1:36-39a
Andrew and the other disciple went with him, saw where he was staying, and spent the day in his presence.
Andrew’s response to this life-changing encounter is one of the most beautiful moments in the Gospels. He immediately sought out his brother Simon Peter and proclaimed, “We have found the Messiah.” Then, true to his character, Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. This simple yet profound act of introducing others to Christ became a hallmark of Andrew’s ministry and earned him the title Protocletus, a Greek term meaning “First-Called.”
In Matthew 4, we read that after John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus moved to Galilee and began preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Andrew and Simon Peter casting their nets into the lake. He called to them, saying, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Without hesitation, they left their nets and followed him, demonstrating the same readiness and faith that had defined Andrew’s earlier decision to follow Jesus.
Andrew’s Role in Jesus’ Ministry
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, the Gospels reveal Andrew’s thoughtful and practical nature. In John 6, while feeding the five thousand, Jesus saw a great crowd approaching and asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Philip replied, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” At this moment, Andrew stepped forward and said, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Despite the apparent impossibility, Andrew brought what little was available to Jesus, who gave thanks, multiplied the loaves and fish, and provided more than enough for everyone. Andrew’s actions in this moment reveal his faith and his willingness to offer whatever was at hand, trusting that Jesus would provide.
Later, in John 12, Andrew is once again seen as a bridge between others and Christ. Some Greeks approached Philip during a festival, expressing their desire to see Jesus. Philip turned to Andrew for help, and they brought the request to Jesus together. This moment highlights Andrew’s role as someone who consistently brought others to Christ, whether it was his own brother, a young boy with loaves and fish, or seekers from distant lands.
Andrew’s Closeness to Jesus
A story in Mark 13 underscores Andrew’s closeness to Jesus. As Jesus left the temple, one of His disciples marveled at its grandeur, saying, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” Jesus responded, “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Later, as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew approached him privately to ask, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?” This moment shows Andrew as part of the close inner circle of disciples who sought a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings and his plans for the future.
Andrew’s Mission After Jesus’ Resurrection
Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the risen Christ taught Andrew and the other disciples. They then witnessed his ascension to the Father and awaited the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Andrew embraced his mission to preach the Gospel and became one of the great missionary apostles of the early Church.
According to tradition, Andrew’s ministry took him to far-reaching regions, including Scythia (modern-day Ukraine and western Russia), Greece—particularly the cities of Patras and Achaia—Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), and Thrace (modern-day Bulgaria and parts of Greece). His tireless efforts to spread the faith earned him the titles “Apostle to the Greeks” and “Apostle to the Scythians,” and he is venerated as a patron saint in many of these regions.
Legends tell of Andrew’s many miracles during his missionary journeys, including healings, exorcisms, and even raising the dead. In Patras, Greece, tradition tells us that Andrew converted the wife of the Roman governor. This bold act ultimately led to his martyrdom.
Andrew’s Death
Andrew died in Patras around AD 60, martyred during the reign of Emperor Nero. Tradition holds that Andrew, out of humility, requested not to be crucified on a standard cross like Jesus, as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Instead, he was tied to an X-shaped cross. This prolonged his suffering but allowed him to continue preaching to onlookers. This distinctive diagonal cross, later known as the “St. Andrew’s Cross,” became a powerful symbol of his faith, humility, and unwavering commitment to Christ.
The Legacy of St. Andrew
After his martyrdom, local Christians venerated Andrew’s body. His remains were initially kept in Patras, where a church was built to honor him. The Church of Saint Andrew in Patras continues to be a significant pilgrimage site and houses relics, including his skull and a portion of his cross.
St. Andrew’s Relics
In AD 357, Emperor Constantius II ordered the transfer of many relics of the apostles and early saints to Constantinople to establish the city as a spiritual center of the Roman Empire. St. Andrew’s relics, including his bones, were moved to the Church of the Holy Apostles, enshrined alongside other apostles, such as St. Luke and St. Timothy.
During the Crusades in 1208, Cardinal Peter of Capua brought many of Andrew’s relics from Constantinople to Amalfi, Italy. The relics were placed in the Cathedral of St. Andrew, where they remain to this day. Some relics of St. Andrew also made their way to Rome. The Vatican holds some of his remains in St. Peter’s Basilica. In 1964, Pope Paul VI returned a portion of these relics to the Greek Orthodox Church in a symbolic gesture of unity. They were sent back to Patras, Greece, where they are venerated in the Church of St. Andrew.
Scotland
Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, where some of his relics reportedly arrived in the 4th century by Saint Regulus (or Rule), a monk who carried them to the area now known as St. Andrews. The town became a significant center of devotion. Andrew’s saltire cross (an X-shaped cross) later became Scotland’s national emblem.
According to legend, Andrew appeared in a vision to King Óengus II during a battle in AD 832. A white saltire cross is said to have appeared in the sky, inspiring the Scottish army to victory. This event solidified Andrew’s role as the nation’s patron saint and led to the adoption of the saltire cross on Scotland’s flag.
Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew
- Read the Gospel passages that mention St. Andrew: John 1:35–42 (Andrew meets Jesus), Matthew 4:18–22 (The calling of Andrew and Peter), John 6:8–9 (The feeding of the 5,000)
- As a family, reflect on Andrew’s role in introducing others to Jesus. Who in your life needs that same invitation?
- Read the Gospel passages that mention St. Andrew: John 1:35–42 (Andrew meets Jesus), Matthew 4:18–22 (The calling of Andrew and Peter), John 6:8–9 (The feeding of the 5,000).
- As a family, reflect on Andrew’s role in introducing others to Jesus. Who in your life needs that same invitation?
- Bring Others to Jesus. Take inspiration from St. Andrew and consider how your family can introduce others to Christ. This could mean inviting a friend to church, sharing a meal, or even offering a small act of kindness to someone in need.
- Make a St. Andrew’s Cross. Using sticks or craft supplies, create a simple X-shaped cross with your children. Use it as a centerpiece for your table or a reminder of St. Andrew’s humility and faithfulness.
- Make Cranachan. On his feast day, St. Andrew, as the patron saint of Scotland, is honored with traditional Scottish dishes. One of these is Cranachan, a traditional Scottish dessert made with toasted oats, raspberries, cream, and whisky.
Cranachan
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup steel-cut oats
- ⅓ cup Scotch whisky
- ¼ cup steel-cut oats
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
- 3 Tbsp Scotch whisky
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- The night before you want to make the dessert, toast 1/3 cup (57 g) of the oats in a cast iron or very heavy pan until very lightly browned- this won’t take long, so keep a close eye, as you don’t want burnt oats. Put the oats in a bowl and cover with 1/3 cup (3 oz) of whisky. Cover and let stand overnight to soak.
- When you are ready to make the Cranachan, toast the second batch of oats exactly the same way you toasted the first ones. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Choose a few choice raspberries to decorate the tops and set them aside.
- Crush the rest of the raspberries in a bowl with a spatula or fork (just a bit; we’re not making jam).
- Sprinkle the raspberries with two teaspoons of sugar, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of whisky. Mix well and set aside.
- Whip the cream until it starts to thicken, then add the other two tablespoons of honey and two tablespoons of whisky. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form, then fold in the whisky-soaked oats.
- At this point, we are ready to assemble the dessert. I would recommend doing this relatively close to serving time as the dessert will taste better fresh (if possible, don’t make it in the morning to serve for dinner).
- Place a spoonful or two of the raspberries to cover the bottom of the glass, then add some of the cream mixture.
- Sprinkle the cream with some of the toasted oats, then repeat the layers. Finish with the sprinkled oats and top with a raspberry or three.
- Refrigerate until ready to eat, but take them out about 20 minutes before serving for better flavor.
Recipe from Christina Scucina.
Image: Saint Andrew by El Greco (ca. 1610).
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