Reflection on the commemoration of the Holy Apostle Andrew

The holy apostle Andrew the First-called, according to tradition, founded the Church at Byzantium and planted a cross at the future site of Kyiv. Most likely, all of the bishops of the Orthodox Church trace their apostolic succession back to Saint Andrew, at least in part. Saint Andrew is known as the “the First-called” because he, together with Saint John the Theologian, was the first to follow the Lord when Saint John the Forerunner pointed to Jesus and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” May we always follow the crucified Savior with the same readiness, being faithful to his Gospel, the tradition of his Apostles, and the teaching of their successors, the holy episcopate of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Eastern Orthodox Church.