The Day of Remembrance of the Enlightener of Georgia, Saint Apostle Andrew the First-Called, is celebrated twice — on December 13, and since 2003 — has also been celebrated on May 12 (this day has been declared a day off at the state level in Georgia).
This decision was made by a resolution of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church dated October 17, 2002. As noted in the Patriarchate, it is dictated by the special significance that the holy apostle has for Georgia: it was Andrew the First-Called who in the 1st century was the first preacher of Christianity in this country.
Andrew the First-Called, a fisherman originally from Bethsaida, became the first to follow Christ and brought his older brother — Simon (Peter) to him. The Apostle Andrew witnessed the earthly life of Jesus, his death and resurrection. After the execution and resurrection of the Savior, Andrei went to preach Christianity in eastern countries, passing through Asia Minor, Thrace, Macedonia, the Black Sea coast, and Crimea. During his missionary service, Andrew the First-Called also visited Georgia, where he brought a miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The idol-worshipping population offered him great resistance, but he overcame many trials and converted many Georgian residents to Christianity. According to legend, it was St. Andrew the First-Called who built the first temple in Georgia and ordained the first clergy — priests and deacons.
Having converted Georgia to Christianity, the apostle continued on his way. After the consecration of Jerusalem, St. Andrew, together with the apostles Simon and Matthew, returned to Georgia and preached religion in Kartli and Abkhazia. The last city where the apostle worked was the Greek city of Patras. There Andrei converted many to Christianity, but suffered martyrdom —, on the orders of the head of the city, Egaeta was crucified on the cross around 62. Several centuries later, under the reign of Constantine the Great, the holy relics of the apostle were delivered with honors to the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.
Now the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called rest in the monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Odessa.