The year of birth of St. Andrei Rublev is unknown, its origin is not known, and historical information about it is scarce. The presence of his nickname-surname (Rublev) makes it possible to assume that he came from educated circles of society, since only representatives of the upper strata bore surnames in that era. It is generally accepted that he was born around 1340-1350.
The whole life of St. Andrei Rublev is connected with two monasteries: Trinity-Sergius and Spaso-Andronikov in Moscow. Tradition, dating back to the 16th century, sees him as the spiritual son of St. Nikon of Radonezh; in spirit, St. Andrew is undoubtedly a student of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Living in a highly spiritual atmosphere, the monk Andrei learned both historical examples of holiness and examples of ascetic life that he found in his environment. He delved deeply into the teachings of the Church and into the lives of the saints he portrayed, followed them, which allowed his talent to achieve artistic and spiritual perfection.
The chronicle reports that in 1408, St. Andrew, together with his senior associate and collaborator Daniil Cherny, took part in the painting of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. His other main works are also known: the iconostasis and paintings of the Annunciation Cathedral in Moscow, the icon «Our Lady of Vladimir» for the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, the paintings and iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral in Zvenigorod, in the Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery and the famous Orthodox shrine — « Holy Trinity» for the same cathedral, paintings and icons in the Spaso-Andronikov Monastery.
Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the memory of St. Andrew was surrounded by veneration. You can find evidence of spiritual recognition of its holiness in the Stroganov iconographic original: «Reverend Andrei of Radonezh, icon painter, nicknamed Rublev, wrote many holy icons, all miraculous...».
According to later sources, his holy relics rest in the Andronikov Monastery. The memory of the saint was celebrated in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra (4) on July 17, the day of the namesake with St. Andrew of Crete.
St. Andrew was canonized on the basis of the holiness of life, his feat of icon painting, in which he, like an evangelist, testified and continues to proclaim to people the false truth about God, glorified in the Trinity.
Saint Andrew Rublev was canonized by the church in the year of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus.