St. Andrew, Apostle,
elder brother of St. Peter, and like him, a fisherman; he was the very first
disciple of Christ. The Greek Orthodox Church gives him the role similar
to that his brother St. Peter has in Catholic Church. St. Andrew preached
and evangelized Asia Minor and "land of Scythians" in Russia, that is why
his cult in Russia is very important. In some west regions though it is
also important: he is the patron saint of Scotland, numerous churches are
dedicated to him there, and also the patron saint of the house of the Dukes
of Burgundy. In paintings St. Andrew is often depicted with a fishing-net,
or cross saltire (a cross in the shape of X), it was believed that St. Andrew
was crucified on a cross of such shape. |
