St Andrew, Archbishop of Crete (+712–726)

Saint Andrew, Archbishop of Crete, was born in the city of Damascus into a family of pious Christians. Until the age of seven he could not speak, but then, when he received Communion of the holy Body and Blood of Christ, he was granted the power of speech. From that time on the child diligently took up the study of Holy Scripture and the theological sciences.

At fourteen the saint went to Jerusalem and became a monk in the Lavra of Sabbas the Sanctified. The humble monk lived a strict, abstinent life and amazed everyone with his piety and understanding. For his piety and outstanding gifts he was appointed secretary, notary, of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. In 680 the saint, in the rank of archdeacon, attended the Sixth Ecumenical Council, where, relying on his deep knowledge of the Orthodox dogmas, he exposed the false teaching of the heretics. The council had only just ended when Andrew was summoned from Jerusalem to Constantinople and appointed archdeacon of the church of Hagia Sophia. In the reign of the Emperor Justinian II (685–695) the blessed father was consecrated Archbishop of the city of Gortyna on the island of Crete. In this new field he shone forth as a great theologian, preacher and hymnographer.

The hierarch Andrew composed many liturgical hymns. He began a new liturgical genre, the canon. Especially notable is the Great Canon of Repentance, which is included in the readings of Great Lent. In the first week of the Fast it is read in parts at Compline, and on the Thursday of the fifth week in full. In the following centuries the hymnographic tradition of Andrew of Crete was carried on by the holy fathers John of Damascus, Cosmas of Maiuma, Joseph the Hymnographer…

Church historians differ as to the date of the blessed Andrew’s repose. Some give the year 712, others 726.