St. Andrew's Day among Western Christians (30/11)

Saint Andrew the Apostle (St. Andrew, the Apostle), Andrew the First-Called — the first of the disciples of Jesus Christ, brother of the Holy Apostle Peter. The Catholic Church honors his memory on November 30th. In a number of Western countries, this day is a national holiday and a day off.

According to Russian chronicles, Saint Andrew preached Christianity in the Slavic lands. The Tale of Bygone Years indicates that the Apostle Andrew stopped for the night on the hills on which Kyiv was subsequently built, and said to the disciples who were with him:

«Do you see these mountains? As if on these mountains the grace of God will shine, and the great hail of existence and the church will be raised by many Gods to imat».

According to legend, the Apostle Andrew was martyred (crucified) in the city of Patras in Greece, around 67.

Sentenced to death, he appealed to the authorities not to crucify him on a cross of the same shape as the one on which Christ was crucified. His request was granted and, it is believed, Saint Andrew died on a cross made of two logs, which later became its symbol. It was from this cross that numerous «St. Andrew's flags » of Scotland, Ireland, the Russian Navy and others descended.

Saint Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint of Russia, Scotland, Greece and Romania.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle according to the new style, December 13.

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