JULY 4: ST. ANDREW OF CRETE

(660-740)

Andrew was born in Damascus, and for the first seven years of his life did not speak. It is said that it was only after receiving his First Communion that he uttered his first words.

He began his religious career at age 14 as a clerk. He proved to be brilliant in his job and was made Archdeacon of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He was sent as a representative to Sixth Ecumenical Council in 660, which had been organized in the imperial capital, Constantinople by Emperor Constantine Pogonatus.

Shortly after he was called back to the capital and named Archdeacon of Hagia Sophia and later assigned to the metropolitan see of Gortyna, in Crete. There, he worked lecturing, composing religious songs, and became known as the most important evangelists of the Byzantine age.

Though there is no certain day for his death, it is known that he died on the island of Mytelene while traveling from Constantinople to Crete. His relics were placed in the Monastery of St. Andrew of Crete in Constantinople and a great basilica was dedicated to him on the island of Lesbos.

Adapted by A.J. Valentini from Catholic Readings (2020). St. Andrew of Crete – Saint of the Day – July 4 St. Andrew of Crete Biography. In Catholic Readings, catholicreadings.org/catholic-quotes/saint-andrew-of-crete-saint-of-the-day-july-4/