Apostle is saintly despite simplicity

The name Andrew is from the Greek language Andreia and means manhood or valor. The name was common among the Jews from the second century B.C.
St. Andrew the Apostle was the son of Jonah and was born in Bethsaida of Galilee. He was the brother of Simon Peter, and both were fishermen.
At the beginning of Our Lord's public life, they lived at Capharnaum. From the fourth Gospel, we believe Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony, "Behold the Lamb of God," first led him to follow Jesus.
Following Jesus
Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messiah and hastened to introduce him to his brother, Peter. Andrew told his brother, "We have found the Messiah," which is interpreted, the Christ. Jesus called them from cleaning their nets with their father into the ministry. They both "dropped their nets immediately and followed him." They left their families, their business and their possessions.
Andrew was chosen to be one of the twelve, and in the various lists of Apostles given in the New Testament, he is numbered among the first four. We learn, from the occasion of the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, it was Andrew who said, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?"
Yes, Andrew was a worrier, or so it seems, who concentrated on details. He wanted to know where Jesus lived, how they were going to feed the crowd, and when Jerusalem would be destroyed.
Before Our Lord's death, certain Greeks asked Philip about seeing Jesus. Philip referred the matter to Andrew as to one of greater authority, then both told Christ.
As an Apostle, Andrew was admitted to the closest familiarity with Our Lord during his public life; he was present at the Last Supper. He also beheld the risen Lord and witnessed the Ascension; he shared in the graces and gifts. On the Day of Pentecost, and amid threats and persecution, he went forth to preach and teach the nations the good news.
Life without fanfare
Andrew is one of the few early disciples of Jesus about whom there are few legends. Rather than miraculous legends, the story of St. Andrew is the story of the Apostles. We always want extraordinary saints, and we are surprised to find that even among the Apostles, there was one whose life was without fanfare. Most saints have lived a simple, everyday life, sometimes miraculous, but only sometimes.
St. Andrew is just another indication that we, too, can live a simple, everyday life and still be saints. We, too, can live a life that is hidden in God and in his church. There is a tradition that St. Andrew preached as far as Kiev in Ukraine, where the conversion of the country spread in the 11th century. He is also considered to be the patron saint of Scotland.
Holy tradition tells us that St. Andrew died for Christ as a martyr near the Black Sea and that he was crucified at Patras in Achaia on an X-shaped cross, where he remained for several days preaching to all who came to watch the execution. His martyrdom took place during the reign of Nero, on Nov. 30, A.D. 60. Both the Latin and Greek Churches keep Nov. 30 as his feast.
XThe Rev. Andrew Gall is pastor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sharon, Pa.