My Name Is Andrew...

The First-Called Disciple From Bethsaida's Nets to Patras' Cross

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Faith,

As I pen this letter, my heart is filled with reflections on a journey that transformed a simple fisherman from Bethsaida into a disciple of Christ, called to cast the net of the Gospel across the nations. I am Andrew, brother to Simon Peter, and by the grace of God, one of the first-called of Jesus' disciples.

Our early life was marked by the simplicity of fishing on the Sea of Galilee. It was a life of hard work and deep community ties, under the watchful eyes of Roman occupation. Our nets, which provided our livelihood, became a symbol of the calling I would receive from the Lord Jesus Himself.

Before meeting Jesus, I was a disciple of John the Baptist. It was John who first introduced me to the Lamb of God. "The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!'” (John 1:35-36, NIV). Prompted by this declaration, I followed Jesus, eager to learn from Him. After spending a day in His presence, I was convinced that we had indeed found the Messiah. Overflowing with joy, I rushed to share this news with my brother, Simon Peter, bringing him to Jesus.

Living with Jesus in Capernaum, I witnessed the unfolding of His public ministry—miracles that defied nature, teachings that pierced the soul, and a love that embraced all, even the most marginalized. These experiences deepened my faith and understanding of the Kingdom of God.

My journey with Jesus was not without its trials. Yet, each challenge served to strengthen my resolve to follow Him, even unto death. After Jesus' ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, I was compelled by an insatiable desire to spread the good news far and wide.

Tradition holds that my mission field extended to the distant lands of Scythia, Byzantium (now Istanbul), and finally to Patras in Achaea, where I labored to plant the seeds of faith. In these places, I encountered both hearts eager for the message of salvation and opposition that tested my resolve.

In Patras, my journey on earth came to a culmination. For preaching the risen Christ, I was sentenced to die on a cross. Embracing this fate, I considered it an honor to suffer for the One who suffered for us all. Tradition recounts that I was crucified on an X-shaped cross, a symbol that has since borne my name. Even in those final moments, my heart was filled not with fear but with peace, knowing that in death, as in life, I belonged to Christ.

Several relics associated with my earthly ministry continue to inspire the faithful. Yet, more than these physical reminders, it is the spiritual legacy of a life surrendered to Jesus that I wish to impart to you.

To those who read this letter, let my story remind you that the call to follow Jesus is both a privilege and a responsibility. It may lead you away from familiar shores, challenge you to the depths of your being, and call you to lay down your life for the sake of the Gospel.

Embrace this call with courage and faith, knowing that He who calls you is faithful to sustain you. Let your life be a net, cast wide to draw others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. And in times of persecution or doubt, remember that our Lord's strength is perfected in our weakness.

As you continue on your journey of faith, may you be encouraged by the lives of those who have gone before you, steadfast in the assurance that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on to finish the race set before us.

In the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Andrew, Brother of Simon Peter, Apostle to the Nations, and Martyr for the Faith