St. Andrew's Day

On November 30, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Andrew.

Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter and was born in the Galilean village of Bethsaida. Originally a disciple of John the Baptist, Andrew then became the first disciple of Jesus (John 1:35-40). HIs name regularly appears at the top of the lists of the Twelve. He introduced Simon Peter to Jesus (John 1:34-42), and was, in a sense, the first home missionary and the first world missionary (John 12:20-22). Andrew was matryred by crucifixion on a cross shaped like an X, known today as St. Andrew's Cross, and seen on the flag of Scotland and Great Britain. (St. Andrew
is the patron saint of Scotland.)

Because Andrew was the first disciple, the Church celebrates his Festival as the very first in the Church Year, and so the First Sunday of Advent is always the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew's Day.