Andrew Saint

Andrew, Saint, apostle and martyr, a brother of Simon Peter, a native of Bethsaida, in Galilee. Originally a disciple of John the Baptist, he heard the testimony of his master to Christ (John i. 35-40), and followed the true Messiah, soon after bringing his brother with him. Andrew is seldom mentioned in the Gospel narrative. He concurred with Philip in introducing to our Lord certain Greeks (John xii. 22), and he was one of the four to whom the prophecy was given respecting the fate of the Temple. According to tradition, he laboured after Christ's resurrection in spreading the truth over Asia Minor, Scythia, and Thrace, and was himself crucified at Patrae, in Achaia, by order of AEgeus, on that particular form of cross (X) that bears his name. His martyrdom is commemorated by the Church on November 30. It is uncertain why St. Andrew was adopted as the patron saint of Scotland, but legend attributes the fact to the miraculous appearance of this cross in the sky before the defeat of Athelstane by the Picts and Scots.