Saint Andrew with Modern Round Frame

Saint Andrew with Modern Round Frame

According to the New Testament, he was the first to be called by Christ to become an Apostle, which is why in Orthodox tradition he is often called "Protocletus". He was one of the twelve Apostles of Christ. The information of the New Testament is minimal for Andreas and does not exist for his apostolic work. Ecclesiastical writers report that Apostle Andreas preached Christianity in Scythia (now Southern Russia), Epirus, Thrace and Byzantium, where he founded a church with stacy as his first bishop. The continuation of this first church is considered the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which honors the Apostle Andreas as its founder and first bishop of Byzantium. Apostolos Andreas is patron saint of Patras and is celebrated on November 30th.