Icon with Saint Apostle Andrew – embroidered, framed, 21x27cm.
In this icon, Saint Andrew, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ, the first called, is depicted.
Clad in simple garments, he holds the Holy Scripture in his left hand and bears on his back the cross in the form of an X, from which his soul ascended to heaven, known as the Cross of Saint Andrew.
The Holy Apostle Andrew was crucified for his faith on a cross in the shape of an X because he did not deem himself worthy to be crucified on the same form of cross as Jesus. His martyrdom took place in Patras, Greece, and his relics have been spread to various holy places.
He was one of the closest and most devoted apostles of Jesus Christ. He is known for having followed the Savior until the moment of the Ascension, and for having spread His teachings in regions such as Greece, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine.
Saint Andrew is considered one of the main bringers of faith in Romania.
Popular tradition holds that the Holy Apostle Andrew lived and preached in a cave located less than 2 kilometers from "Mihai Eminescu Fountain" and approximately 4 kilometers from the road between Constanța and Ostrov, being classified as a historical monument.
The Gospel according to John mentions that Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist, who recommended him to follow Jesus, hence his title "the first called." According to the same Gospel, Andrew brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus, telling him that he had found the Messiah (John 1:35-42).
In the Orthodox Church, his feast day is on November 30th.
