Andrew the First-Called, or St. Apostle Andrew, is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, who was a brother to the apostle Peter. He was crucified on a cross, called the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called and turned into a shrine. But first things first.
Andrew the First-Called
Baptist John sent two brothers to Peter - Peter and Andrew. The latter became the closest disciple of Christ. That is why he was dubbed the First-Called. He, along with other disciples of Jesus, watched the crucifixion of his teacher, and was also an eyewitness of a real miracle: Jesus is risen!
According to the Bible, each of Christ's twelve disciples went to preach His teachings. The First-Called went east. He traveled for a long time, visited many countries and cities, the last of which was Patras in Greece. It was here that Andrew the First-Called created many different miracles that prompted local residents to make a decision on Baptism.
The ruler of Patra by the name of Egeat did not heed the teachings of the First-Called and remained a convinced pagan, calling the sermons of Andrei madness. On his orders, the apostle Andrew was executed. His deathbed was the so-called cross of St. Andrew the First-Called. It was on him that the apostle was crucified. According to legend, the crucified Andrew was alive and was conscious for three days. At this time, he taught people. The First-Called took the martyrdom after a prayer was made to God that he would take the martyr to him.
What does the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called represent?
The Apostle Andrew is the link between the Orthodox and the Church of Constantinople. On the territory of the future Ancient Russia, the apostle left a breast cross, preaching Christianity. He converted pagan faith to his own.
Since the time of the Emperor of Russia Peter the Great, the apostle Andrew became the patron saint of St. Petersburg, and the cross itself became a symbol of the Russian fleet. It was he who was captured on the St. Andrew's flag (blue cross on a white panel).
Not a miracle!
The cross of St. Andrew the First-Called can be called a true miracle of God! Today, a lot of believing Christians daily bow before him, asking for help in solving certain problems. And not in vain. Apostle Andrew hears and sees the pain that lives in their hearts, and asks the Lord to send help to these people. Obsessed with spirits or terminally ill people who come to the cross are healed.
Where is the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called?
Of course, where the apostle Andrew suffered martyrdom, that is, in the city of Patras in Greece. The cross was transferred there with great honors in January 1980. Today he is in a specially equipped civot in the New Temple, which is dedicated to the Apostle Andrew.
What is the cross of St. Andrew the First-Called made of?
From an olive tree growing in the region of Achaia. When the cross was discovered in Massalia, the scientists conducted special studies confirming that it belonged exactly to that era in which the holy Apostle Andrew was crucified. Scientists were also able to prove that the material from which the cross is made is the olive tree that grows in Achaia.