The MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete: Life and Icon

Christianity has more than two thousand years. During this time, many people managed to show their best human qualities, for which the believers are revered as saints. One of them is the MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete. This man has managed to do many things for future generations. And his life is quite interesting for modern people. It reflects all the conditions of existence of mankind at the beginning of the last millennium, of anxiety and hardship, and also the resilience of individuals, like a feat. Let's figure out who the Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete is, whose life is comprehensively studied by believers. Why do modern citizens need to know about it?

The MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete: Life

There is some confusion in the minds of people who are not immersed in theology. Saints by the name of Andrew a few. And two of them are Cretan. They do not need to be confused, since these people have passed a completely different path, each became famous in his own way. The MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete, whose life we describe, was an ordinary God-fearing youth. He lived during the time of the iconoclast emperor. Among the peers, this man stood out only by observing traditions in a sacred way. He abandoned the worldly pleasures, prayed and set an example to those around him. In the texts that are written in his memory, it is said that the Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete has managed to guide many on the right path, to spark faith in hearts. He lived in those times when no one had openly resisted Christian traditions. It seems that the world is established in society. But the devil did not leave people with his black attention. But the action was a cunning, which the future Rev. Martyr Andrew of Crete revolted.

Important landmarks of life

Believers, marking the Day of St. Andrew of Crete, remember his fate, try to absorb the experience of this man. Attention at the same time concentrates on the devotion to Jesus, the hardships that he managed to overcome for his glory. This is common practice. Nevertheless, in order to form the correct image, one must also imagine the historical events that a person had to face. Most likely, the formation of his personality was influenced by the observation of how others do not give up sin. In his life he told that this man was kind and gentle. He did not cuss with sinners, but showed them an example of his life. Resistance to almost the whole of society can be broken or tempered. Andrei remained true to his principles, received from his parents. His faith only strengthened further, which he demonstrated publicly in Constantinople when the time came.

Fighting arbitrariness

The people who were born, for example, in the nineteenth century, would have said so about the activity of the martyr. And the following happened. There was in Constantinople an emperor called Konstantin Kopronim, nicknamed an icon-bearer. He ordered the saints to be removed from the temples, since "it is not proper for a man to worship a tree". Believers sabotaged such a strange decree, he insulted their religious feelings. The emperor rested and ordered the disobedient to be imprisoned. This was learned by Andrew of Crete. He immediately went to Constantinople. He was outraged by the torment of people who wanted to pray to the Lord. The emperor's fair speeches by Andrew of Crete were not enlightened. He commanded to seize and torture the defender of the faithful. But no torture could break his will and commitment to faith. The young man was killed while traveling to the place of execution.

Troparion and kontakion of the Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete

According to church rules, this Saint is commemorated on October 17. During the service in the temple the choir sings. Short verses are performed, narrating or reminding of important events related to the date or holiday. The Troparion of the MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete is customary to perform on his day, as well as during Lent. This is done not only to remember the Holy Martyr, but also to learn from his example true faith. The text says that the feat of this saint was associated with the protection of his spiritual brothers. He did not fear the master and his armed minions, doing what ought. It is also customary to read during the service the glorification of the Martyr Andrew of Crete. This verse, which praises the valor of the saint. His text is as follows: "We praise thee, the Holy Martyr Andrew, and we honor your holy memory, the guidance of monks and the interlocutor of angels."

The Savior of the Imperial Family

Let's move into the nineteenth century. All the family of Alexander III fell on St. Andrew's day in an accident. They traveled by train, which derailed, and even rolled over. Suffered more than twenty people, but all the imperial family remained intact. This story affected the environment so much that in St. Petersburg the church of St. Andrew of Crete was built. People considered the event as the grace of God, which they decided to perpetuate. The church stands today. It is not particularly noticeable, as it is included in the architectural complex of urban development. But believers visit this temple to pray to the saint. The MonkMartyr Andrew of Crete, whose icon is in this church, as in many others, is considered a healer. The fact that his relics work wonders, is spoken in ancient documents.

What are asked about the martyr

In the middle of the fourteenth century a Russian pilgrim named Stefan Novgorodovets visited Constantinople. His long journey, he described in work, preserved to our times. The text contains information that the incorrupt relics of St. Andrew are able to heal the suffering. The same is described in an anonymous work called "Walking to Constantinople". The relics were in a monastery, named after Andrew of Crete, located in Constantinople (now Istanbul). People came to them, whose hands fell under the pressure of circumstances. They asked for holy support and intercession. And nowadays believers come to the icons in many churches, feeling themselves defenseless. These people find in the holy consolation, draw new strength, reflecting on his life and deeds.

Prayer to the Martyr

In the church books you can find the canon and troparion of the Holy One. These texts are read to read if a person wants to turn to the Martyr. They talk about the heroism and strength of an ordinary person, to whom faith helped to resist power. Each of us in life there are situations when we consider ourselves too "small" in front of the enemies. And if you look at what the Martyr has done, you will be ashamed. He was a young man, carefully preserving the image of the Lord in his heart. He possessed neither riches nor weapons, nor led the army. However, having learned about the diabolical intrigues of the cunning emperor, who had conceived the idea of distorting the essence of the religious tradition, he was able to rise to the level of a warrior of Christ. Agree, at the beginning of the millennium there were very different orders. Speaking against the ruler, a man condemned himself to a painful death. And he was not scared! Prayer to the Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete is about this. Every believer seeks to merge with the Lord so that he can forget about his mortal life in a difficult situation, but act for His glory.

About the confusion in the names of saints

We have already mentioned that Andreev of Crete is two. It so happened that these people lived at about the same time. But everyone has his own way. Not entirely literate writers attribute the deeds of the Holy Martyr St. Andrew. This is not just inappropriate, but also very harmful, as it generates in a fragile soul doubts about the truth of the existence of such people. It turns out directly diabolical intrigues, but at a different level, the same as the emperor-icon-bearer. In order for the dear reader to fully understand what is being said, let us write a little about the life of St. Andrew of Crete. This man is known for quite different things. His faith manifested itself in the ability to resist not the emperor, but in a sense, a more formidable force - the community of spiritual teachers recognized by believers at that time. He spoke in defense of the correct understanding of Jesus Christ at the Ecumenical Council. A few words about this man.

St. Andrew of Crete

The boy was born in the third quarter of the 7th century in the glorious city of Damascus. Andrew's parents were deeply religious people, and the child was brought up in the same spirit. One worried them - the offspring did not want to talk. For the seventh year I went to the boy, and there was that fish. This circumstance played a very important role in his life, sending fate to a special channel. He spoke. How? About this later. At the age of fourteen, the future prelate Andrew of Crete went to the Jordanian laurel. There he learned science in monasticism, and then was appointed clerk. On the young monk drew attention Sainted Sofrony, the Jerusalem Patriarch. This person was personally engaged in his spiritual upbringing. After the capture of the Holy City by Muslims, Andrei was entrusted with the duties of a singlet, that is, a secretary. He happened to perform at the VI Ecumenical Council. For boldness and adherence to principles, believers respected and honored him. In 685 he was elected Archbishop of Crete, where he served until his death.

Miracle

It is very important to understand how a person becomes a faithful warrior of Christ, especially in ancient times. And they were pretty cruel, human rights were not thought about then, wars broke out like dry brushwood. For adherence to Christianity killed quite often. Internal beliefs, as well as ways of worship, became life-threatening. The future prelate Andrew of Crete was born in a Christian family. As already indicated, the boy was not. Not a single word from him parents did not hear until the boy was seven years old. The whole family, as is supposed to be the believer, went to the temple. Once, after the communion of the Holy Christ's Secrets, the boy spoke. Parents such a turn of events seemed a miracle. And this has tucked them into inciting the son to monasticism. Yes, and Andrew himself was under the impression of a kind of rebirth. From that moment his path was predetermined. He sacredly served the Lord, was appointed Archbishop of Crete, built temples there and dealt with the affairs of the flock.

Conclusion

We often think of saints only in difficult times. You know, there is a certain egoism in the current believers. As soon as assistance is needed, we run to the temple, but we are lazy about talking to whom we turn to. From this relationship, in particular, there is confusion in the minds. It is a shame not to know who the Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete is, agree. In church schools it is customary to study the exploits of people in the past. Children receive not only information, but also a basis for character formation. The Holy Martyr shows them an example of how much faith gives to an ordinary person. She raises him over injustice, raises him to the heights of power, allows him to resist arbitrariness, defending his neighbor. The strength is not in the amount of weapons or money, but in truth, based on the covenants of Jesus. Having such knowledge in the soul, it becomes easier for a person to cope with the hardships of life. No wonder they say that the one who has Christ in his heart is happy. Such a person will never feel lonely, devotee, or abandoned. What do you think?