Our father among the saints '''Saint Andrew, Archbishop of Crete''', was born in [[Archbishop]] of Crete at the end of the 7th century and the city beginning of Damascus into the 8th. He was a pious Christian family. Up until seven years true luminary of age the boy was mute Church, a great hierarch—a [[theologian]], teacher and did not talk. However[[hymnographer]], after communing best known for writing the [[Holy MysteriesGreat Canon]] of Christ he found the gift of speech and began to speak. And from that time the lad began earnestly to study His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[Holy ScriptureJuly 4]] and the discipline of theology.

At fourteen years of age he went off to [[Jerusalem]] and there he accepted monastic tonsure at the monastery of [[Sabbas the Sanctified|==Life==St. Sava the Sanctified]]. St Andrew led a strict and chaste life, he was meek and abstinent, such that all were amazed at his virtue and reasoning born in the city of mindDamascus into a pious Christian family. As a man Up until seven years of talent and known for his virtuous life, over age the passage of time he came to be numbered among the Jerusalem clergy boy was mute and was appointed a secretary for the Patriarchate - a writing clerkdid not talk. In the year 680 the locum tenens of However, after communing the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Theodore, included [[archdeacon]] Andrew among the representatives of the Holy City sent to the [[Sixth Ecumenical CouncilMysteries]], and here the saint contended against [[heresy|heretical teachings]], relying upon his profound knowledge of Orthodox doctrine. Shortly after the Council he was summoned back to Constantinople from Jerusalem and Christ he was appointed archdeacon at found the church gift of [[Hagia_Sophia_%28Constantinople%29|Hagia Sophia]], the Wisdom of Godspeech and began to speak. During And from that time the reign of the emperor Justinian II (685-695) St. Andrew was ordained lad began earnestly to study [[bishopHoly Scripture]] of the city of Gortineia on and the island of Crete. In his new position he shone forth as a true luminary discipline of the Church, a great hierarch - a theologian, teacher and [[hymnographer]]theology.

At fourteen years of age he went off to [[Jerusalem]] and there he accepted [[monastic]] [[tonsure]] at the monastery of St. Andrew wrote many liturgical [[hymnSabbas the Sanctified|Sava the Sanctified]]s. He St. Andrew led a strict and chaste life, he was meek and abstinent, such that all were amazed at his virtue and reasoning of mind. As a man of talent and known for his virtuous life, over the originator passage of time he came to be numbered among the Jerusalem clergy and was appointed a new liturgical form - secretary for the [[canonPatriarchate]]—a writing clerk. Of In the canons composed by him year 680 the best known is ''[[locum tenens]]'' of the [[Great CanonChurch of Jerusalem|Great Penitential CanonJerusalem Patriarchate]], including within its 9 odes Theodore, included [[archdeacon]] Andrew among the representatives of the Holy City sent to the 250 [[troparion|tropariaSixth Ecumenical Council]] recited during , and here the saint contended against [[Great Lentheresy|heretical teachings]], relying upon his profound knowledge of Orthodox doctrine. In Shortly after the First Week of Lent Council he was summoned back to Constantinople from Jerusalem and he was appointed archdeacon at the service church of [[ComplineHagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]] it is read in portions (thus called "methymony", and again on Thursday the Wisdom of God. During the Fifth Week at reign of the emperor [[AllJustinian II]] (685-night Vigil695) St. Andrew was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] during [[Matinsbishop]]of the city of Gortineia on the island of Crete.

St. Andrew of Crete gained renown with his wrote many praises liturgical [[hymn]]s. He was the originator of a new liturgical form—the [[Theotokos|All-Pure Virgin Marycanon]]. To Of the canons composed by him are likewise ascribed: the best known is the [[Great Canon for the feast of the Nativity of Christ|Great Penitential Canon]], three including within its 9 odes for the Compline of 250 [[troparion|troparia]] recited during the [[Palm SundayGreat Lent]] and also in . In the first four days of Holy Passion First Week, as well as verses for the feast of Lent at the Meeting service of the Lord, and many another church-song. His hynographic tradition was continued by the churchly great melodists of following ages: Saints [[John of DamascusCompline]], [[Cosmas it is read in portions (thus called "methymony") and again on Thursday of the Fifth Week at the Hymnographer|Cosmas of Maium]], [[Joseph the Hymnographer|Joseph the MelodistAll-Night Vigil]], during [[Theophanes the Confessor|Theophanes the BrandedMatins]]. There have also been preserved edifying Sermons of St. Andrew for certain of the Church feasts.

Church historians St. Andrew of Crete gained renown with his many praises of the [[Theotokos|All-Pure Virgin Mary]]. To him are not likewise ascribed: the Canon for the feast of the [[Nativity]] of Christ, three odes for the Compline of [[Palm Sunday]] and also in the same opinion first four days of Holy [[Passion Week]], as well as to verses for the date feast of death the [[Meeting of the saint. One suggests the year 712Lord]], while others and many another church- the year 726song. He died on His hymnographic tradition was continued by the island churchly great melodists of following ages: Saints [[John of MytileneDamascus]], while returning to Crete from Constantinople, where he had been on churchly business. His [[relicsCosmas the Hymnographer|Cosmas of Maium]] were transferred to Constantinople. In , [[Joseph the year 1350 Hymnographer|Joseph the pious Russian pilgrim Stefan Novgorodets saw Melodist]], [[Theophanes the relics at Confessor|Theophanes the Constantinople monastery named for StBranded]]. Andrew of Crete. His feast is on There have also been preserved edifying [[July 4sermon]]s of St. Andrew for certain of the Church feasts.

==Sources==*[http://wwwChurch historians are not of the same opinion as to the date of death of the saint.ocaOne suggests the year 712, while others the year 726.org/FSlivesHe died on the island of Mytilene, while returning to Crete from Constantinople, where he had been on churchly business.asp wwwHis [[relics]] were transferred to Constantinople.ocaIn the year 1350 the pious Russian pilgrim Stefan Novgorodets saw the relics at the Constantinople monastery named for St.org - Lives Andrew of Saints, July 4Crete.]

==Hymns==[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 5):Like the [[Prophet]] [[David]]:You sang a new song:In the assembly of the righteous.:As an initiate of the [[Holy Spirit]]:You thundered forth your hymns of grace:And the word of righteousness for our salvation,:O Andrew, glory of the fathers.[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2):You sounded forth divine melodies like a trumpet:And were a bright lamp for the world.:You shone with the light of the [[Trinity]], O righteous Andrew.:Therefore we cry to you: Ever intercede for us all! ==Source==*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101894 St Andrew the Archbishop of Crete] ([[OCA]]) ==External links==*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=109 Andrew of Crete Author of the Great Canon] ([[GOARCH]])*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=July&day=4 Saint Andrew, Archbishop of Crete] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'') [[Category: Saints]][[Category:Byzantine Saints]][[Category: Bishops]][[Category:Bishops of Crete]][[Category:7th-8th-century bishops]][[Category: Church Fathers]][[Category:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers]][[Category: Hymnographers]][[Category:Greek Saints]][[Category:8th-century saints]] [[es:Andrés de Creta]][[pt:André de Creta]][[ro:Andrei Criteanul]]