Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter and son of Jonah. He was born in Bethsaida in the province of Galilee and was a fisherman like his brother Peter. The name Andrew is a Greek name which means “manly” or “of valor.

Before he met Jesus, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist.However, when John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God he realized that Jesus was greater and immediately left John, found his brother Peter and became a disciple of Jesus (John 1:25-42). After this Andrew and Peter continued to be fishermen and lived at home until being called permanently by Jesus to be “fishers of men.” (Mt. 4:18f).

He shared the joy of finding Jesus with others proving that it is the responsibility of every believer to lead others to Jesus. He did that silently without craving for publicity. It was Andrew who took Peter to Jesus knowing that his brother might outshine him. Fear of sinking in oblivion under the impulsive radiance of Peter did not discourage him from his usual goodness of leading others to Christ.

Later when Jesus was teaching the multitudes on the mountainside he asked Philip where they could find food to feed the crowd and Philip replied “Eight months wages could not buy enough bread” to feed them.

But it was Andrew who brought the boy with five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus which Jesus miraculously multiplied into enough food to feed everyone. He identified the boy with resource and led the boy to Jesus so that through him many could be blessed. And it was Andrew who during the Passover Feast brought a group of Greeks (Gentiles) to meet Jesus, Andrew knew that Jesus came not only to save Israel but everyone on the earth.

Andrew was crucified during the reign of Nero in Achaia. It is said he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an X and that he was tied (instead of nailed) and that he was on the cross for 2 days before dying.

During those two days he preached the Gospel to everyone who passed by.

Later (in 345 AD) the Roman Emperor Constantine (who was a Christian) had Andrew’s bones carried to modern day Scotland .The X shaped cross on which Andrew died became Scotland’s national flag in the year 1385 and is called Saltire.

Dr. (Mrs.) Edriana Jeyasingh