Saint Andrew of Crete
Saint Andrew of Crete (born c. 660 AD in Damascus, Syria; died July 4, 740 AD on the island of Lesbos, Byzantine Empire) was an Archbishop of Crete, theologian, and the greatest Byzantine liturgical poet of the 8th century. He is the author of the Great Canon — the longest and most theologically rich of all Eastern liturgical hymns, still sung annually in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgies. His feast day is July 4 in the Western Church; July 4 (New Style) in the Eastern Church.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Andrew of Crete
| Saint Andrew of Crete | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | July 04 |
| Profession | Byzantine Archbishop of Crete (c. 692–740 AD); theologian; hymnographer; author of the Great Canon; monastic administrator (Jerusalem Patriarchate); Doctor in Eastern tradition |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Catholic Churches; Eastern Orthodox Church (major feast); Byzantine liturgical tradition; 8th-century Byzantine Christianity; hymnography; penitential theology |
| Patronage | Crete; Byzantine hymnographers; church musicians; poets; those who have lost and recovered speech; those who seek repentance |
| Attributes | Archbishop's vestments (Eastern/Byzantine style); a book or scroll (the Great Canon); a lyre or musical instrument (hymnography); Jerusalem in the background (his early life); Crete in background (his archiepiscopate); Eastern iconographic style |
| Birthplace | Damascus, Syria (Byzantine Empire) |
| Death Place | Lesbos (Mitylene), Byzantine Empire (modern Greece) |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died July 4, 740 AD, on the island of Lesbos (Mitylene) while on a journey; he was approximately 80 years old; he had been Archbishop of Crete for many years; he was caught in a moment of weakness into supporting iconoclasm under Emperor Leo III (his brief lapse is noted in tradition and then his repentance); he died and was buried on Lesbos; his feast is observed on July 4 both in the Eastern and Western churches |
| Primary Shrine | No surviving single major shrine; venerated throughout Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches; Great Canon sung liturgically as his primary living legacy; July 4 feast throughout Eastern Christianity |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); July 4; Feast in Eastern Catholic Churches; major observance in Orthodox Church |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar |
Biography
Andrew was born c. 660 AD in Damascus. According to tradition he was mute from birth and spoke his first words after receiving Communion as a child. He was brought to Jerusalem and entered the monastic and administrative life of the Patriarchate there. He served as a notary and attended the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680–681 AD) as a Jerusalem representative.
He was appointed Archbishop of Crete c. 692 AD. He built orphanages and hospitals on Crete and was a tireless pastor.
In the iconoclast crisis under Emperor Leo III he briefly wavered and signed an iconoclast document — a lapse he repented; he is recorded as having repented and is venerated as a saint rather than condemned as a heretic.
His greatest work is the Great Canon — 250 stanzas of penitential hymnography that survey the entirety of Scripture as a mirror of the soul's need for repentance. Still sung annually in the Eastern liturgy during Great Lent, it is one of the supreme achievements of Christian poetry.
He died July 4, 740 AD, on Lesbos while traveling.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Damascus, Syria (Byzantine Empire)
Death location: Lesbos (Mitylene), Byzantine Empire (modern Greece)
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Parishes
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Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Andrew of Crete, Archbishop of Gorthyna - July 4th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
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Feast day
July 4
Veneration
Saint Andrew of Crete was Archbishop of Crete and the greatest Byzantine hymnographer of the 8th century. His Great Canon — 250 stanzas of penitential poetry surveying the entirety of Scripture — is still sung annually in Eastern liturgies. Feast July 4.
Prayers
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