The relics of Saint Andrew the First Called Apostle will be taken to the God’s Birth Cathedral in Chisinau on December 13, with the blessing of His Holiness Vladimir, Metropolitan Bishop of Chisinau and all Moldova. The relics were brought from the Skete of Saint Andrew from Mount Athos of Greece and will stay at the Metropolitan Cathedral until Christmas, IPN reports, with reference to a press release of the Metropolitan Church.
St. Apostle Andrew was the brother of Peter, the first of Christ’s disciples. Before becoming an Apostle, Saint Andrew was the disciple of Saint Johan the Baptist. As the other Apostles, Saint Andrew followed the Savior, accompanying him through the Holy Land.
As the first to be called by Jesus Christ into his service, St. Andrew commands a reverence a degree greater than those who followed. For this reason, St. Andrew is called Protokletos, or “First-called”.
St. Andrew alone is credited with having set up parishes throughout Asia Minor, in Pontos, Bithynia, Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, Scythia and in the capital city of Byzantium.
Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras in Achaea. He was put to death by being nailed upside down to an X-shaped cross.
