St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, doesn't get much print does he? Does anybody know anything about him?

Answer 1

Yes, actually, we know a fair amount. He was a fisherman like his brother and lived in Capharnaum. He was originally a disciple of John the Baptist, who led him to Jesus. After the Resurrection, we think he went to Scythia, Epirus, Theodoret, and Achaia to preach the word of Christ. He went to Byzantium, where he appointed St. Stachys as its first bishop. At Patrae in Achaia, he was crucified by being bound to the cross (not nailed) per order of the Roman Governor Aegeaa. It's thought that he was crucified on the decussate (X-shaped) cross, but that's not known for sure. His death took place on November 30, 60 A.D., and so Nov. 30 is still his feast day today. His relics were moved from Patrae to Constantinople and placed in the church of the Apostles sometime around 357 A.D. Later, they were taken to Italy and deposited in the cathedral of Amalfi, where most of them still remain. Today, he's the the patron of Russia and Scotland.

Answer 2

You've asked this on Nov. 30, the feast of St. Andrew. So that's something we know! We know that he introduced his brother to Jesus. We're told by tradition that he preached the Gospel and was crucified for it on a cross shaped like an X, now known as the Cross of St. Andrew. He's the patron saint of Scotland (note their flag), of Greece, and of Russia. That's a start.