Feast Day: July 4th
The Life of Saint Andrew of Crete: His masterpiece, the Great Canon… is written primarily in the first person, and goes chronologically through the entire Old and New Testaments drawing examples (both negative and positive) which it correlates to the need of the sinful Soul for repentance and a humble return to God…
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Prayers
Apolytikion: Like the Prophet David, you sang a new song, in the assembly of the righteous. As an initiate of the Holy Spirit, you thundered forth your Hymns of Grace, and the word of righteousness for our Salvation, O Andrew, glory of the Fathers.
Kontakion: You sounded forth Divine melodies like a trumpet, and were a bright lamp for the world. You shone with the light of the Trinity, O Venerable Andrew. Therefore we cry to you: Ever intercede for us all.
From the Great Canon: O Andrew, renowned among the Fathers, glory of Crete, as you stand before the Trinity supreme in Godhead, in your Prayers do not forget to ask that we may be delivered from torment; for we call upon you with love as our advocate in Heaven.
Saint Andrew had a deep love for God and when he was 15 years old he begged his parents to dedicate him to God, which they did. Saint Andrew went to Jerusalem and served as a Reader and Monk at the Patriarchate.
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“My Soul, my Soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things.”
Saint Andrew wrote many Canons of which we Chant during Matins. One of his most beautiful Prayers is The Great Canon which contains Hymns of great Spiritual Grace speaking of events from the Old and New Testaments, and indicates the way we may become Sanctified. The Great Canon is Chanted in the Church Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings of the First Week of Holy and Great Lent, and also on Thursday of the Fifth Week, and any time during the year in our personal prayers.
Portions of the Great Canon: Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. You know, my Soul, the ladder that was shown to Jacob, reaching up from Earth to Heaven. Why have you not provided a firm foundation for it through your Godly actions? Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. Awake, my Soul, consider the actions which you have done; set them before your eyes, and let the drops of your tears fall. With boldness tell Christ of your deeds and thoughts, and so be justified. Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. When I examine my actions, O Saviour, I see that I have gone beyond all men in sin; for I knew and understood what I did; I was not sinning in ignorance. Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. The waves of my sins, O Saviour, have returned and suddenly engulfed me, as the waters of the Red Sea engulfed the Egyptians of old and their charioteers. Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. I know You as a calm haven, O Lord, Lord Christ: come quickly, before it is too late, and deliver me from the lowest depths of sin and despair. Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. We sinned, O Lord, and we broke Your Law, we behaved unrighteously before You, and neither have we kept Your Word, nor acted according to the way You Commanded for us. Yet, O God of the Fathers, we Pray, do not utterly deliver us up. Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. All the names of the Old Testament have I set before you, my Soul, as an example. Imitate the Holy acts of the Righteous and flee from the sins of the wicked. Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.
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Saint Andrew’s desire was to live in solitude in a Monastery, however he was entrusted to take care of an orphanage and hospice for the elderly. He sacrificially ministered to his flock, and cared greatly for everyone with love.
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Saint Andrew was greatly loved by the people and became Metropolitan of Gortyna in Crete.
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Icons
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Saint Andrew of Crete and Saint Mary of Egypt
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