The Holy Apostles are the first people of the Church created by Jesus Christ. They are its pillars and stand closest to the Lord, as his disciples. Thanks to this, prayers to the Holy Apostles are the most valuable and inspire the greatest hopes in those praying.
Memorial Days:
- June 3 – Cathedral of Karelian Saints;
- July 13 – Council of the glorious and all-praised 12 apostles;
- December 13th;
- December 28 – Cathedral of Crimean Saints.
The first one to follow Jesus when he called him was Andrew. Therefore, the prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called is one of the main prayers that should be addressed to the Saints.
How does prayer help St. Andrew the First-Called?
Being a holy youth, he decided that his life would be devoted to serving God. Together with his brother, he was engaged in fishing. At first he studied with John the Baptist, but after meeting Jesus he decided to follow him, preaching and glorifying the Orthodox faith. After the death of the teacher, the faithful student did not become a hermit, but continued to tell others about the word of the Lord. He traveled to different countries, spreading the Christian faith. The pagans persecuted the disciple of Christ, beat him, threw stones and inflicted serious injuries.
On the 50th day after the ascension of Christ, the gift of God came upon him, and he could heal injuries not only of the soul, but also of the body. The saint suffered for his faith and was crucified on the cross, like the teacher, but only the cross was not straight, and the limbs were not nailed down, because they were tied. By the way, the cross on which the disciple of Christ was crucified became the flag of the Russian fleet, so it depicted a symbol in the form of the letter “X”.
In ancient times, he was considered the main protector of sailors and fishermen, so all the people who went on a voyage asked him for help. This is not accidental, since one miracle is associated with the sea; according to legend, a disciple of Christ calmed a strong storm simply by reading prayer texts. When people received the blessing to travel to other countries and they began to speak other languages, the saint was also called the patron saint of translators. Prayer texts help to cope with diseases.
A prayer to Saint Andrew the First-Called helps single people find their soulmate, and even parents can read it about their children. Believers ask for prosperity and harmony in marriage. You can address the Higher powers not only using sacred texts, but also in your own words, because for him the main thing is sincerity in thought and humility. It is important to fill your prayer with gratitude and hope, and then it will certainly be heard.
On what occasions do they pray to a saint?
There are many of these cases. For example, during prayer there is a request from a saint to convert people to the Orthodox faith. Prayer is especially important for sailors who are away from home.
Another important part is a petition for the protection of the Motherland and Fatherland, strengthening the military spirit and courage. They also pray for teachers involved in teaching foreign languages and translators. Very often the words of prayer can be heard when asking for strengthening of faith. It cannot do without a request for the unification of all peoples under Christian leadership.
Prayer is especially relevant for people who are looking for a happy marriage. Mostly these are young girls and boys. As you can see, Andrew the First-Called is one of the most “in demand” apostles; a large number of believers turn to him with completely different requests.
It is worth noting that the saint does not “specialize” in any one problem; you should pray to him in any case. He is especially revered in the navy, where he serves as the patron saint of sailors. Very often, before going to sea, a priest holds a service on the deck of the ship, after which he leaves to carry out his tasks. And of course, at the stern of each ship there is the St. Andrew’s flag - the symbol of the patron saint. It has a unique feature - the cross on it is not designated as usual, but in the form of the letter X. This is a direct reference to the fact that the apostle suffered martyrdom on a cross of this nominal form.
The saint calmly accepted this decision and went to his execution with prayer. Even after being crucified, the apostle continued to preach, and people listened to him and did not leave until he departed to God.
The days of memory of St. Andrew the First-Called are December 13 and July 13.
Prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called for love
Many boys and girls, desperate to improve their personal lives, ask for help from a Higher Power. Andrew the First-Called, whose prayer for help has already helped a huge number of people, will definitely hear long and sincere prayer requests, and will help improve relationships in a couple, find a worthy life partner and solve other personal troubles. There is no text that is specifically intended for the search for love, that is, a universal prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called, which helps to cope with problems in your personal life too.
Prayer to Andrew the First-Called for his daughter’s marriage
Parents want to see their children happy, so they worry about which chosen one is destined for them. It is not easy to please parents and their fiancé, but they themselves can take care of choosing a worthy life partner for their child by turning to the Higher Powers. A prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called for marriage will help protect your daughter from a sinful marriage and a bad choice of a life partner.
You need to go to church and put three candles there near the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Jesus and his main disciple. When leaving home, buy candles and take blessed water. If you don't have the looks above, buy those too. At home alone, light candles in front of the image and place a container of blessed water next to it. First, read the “Our Father” and Psalm 90, and then cross yourself. Repeat the petitions below three times in a row, making sure to sign the sign of the cross.
Prayer to Andrew the First-Called for a good groom
It is difficult to meet a young girl who would not dream of marrying a modern prince. At the same time, meeting a worthy contender for your heart is not so easy, but you can increase your chances, which is what the prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called is intended for. She has enormous energy, since the messenger of God is considered the patron saint of young girls who dream of marriage. This prayer service will have the greatest power if it is said on December 13, the day of remembrance of the saint. The prayer to the Apostle Andrew the First-Called can be said both in church and at home.
Prayer to the Apostle in pre-revolutionary Russia
Since Andrew the First-Called himself was a fisherman, from the time of Peter the Great he was especially famous as a protector of sailors and fishermen. The prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called was heard especially often in families where there were people of such professions. At that time, St. Andrew's flags were hoisted on ships in the form of a blue cross depicted on a white background.
In addition, the saint is considered the patron of education and enlightenment. Schoolchildren and students read prayers before exams and for better understanding of the material.
Andrew the First-Called - prayer for work
A huge number of people face various troubles at work that make work unbearable. Prayer of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called helps to establish relationships in the team and with the boss, receive an increase in wages and advance up the career ladder. Unemployed people can read it to find a decent job. The main thing is to ask from a pure heart and without bad thoughts. Repeat the universal message mentioned earlier daily.
Texts of prayers
Troparion, tone 4
As the first-called apostles/ and the supremely present brother,/ the Lord of all, Andrei, pray/ to grant universal peace// and great mercy to our souls.
Translation: As the first of the apostles, and the supreme brother of Peter, who was called, pray to the Lord of the whole world, Andrew, that He may grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.
Kontakion, tone 2
Let us praise the courage of the namesake of the God-speaker/ and the Church of the supreme successor,/ Peter’s relative,/ just as in ancient times, and now we cry // come, you have found what you desire.
Translation: Let us praise the same name for courage (from other Greek Ἀνδρέας - courageous) of the Preacher of God and the Savior who was called first of the disciples, the relative of Peter; for he, as he once did, now cried out to us: “Come, we have found the Desired One!” (John 1:40-41).
Greatness
We magnify you,/ Apostle of Christ Andrew,/ and honor your illnesses and labors,/ in which you labored// in the gospel of Christ.
Prayer
To the First-Called Apostle of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Supreme Follower of the Church, Most Valuable Andrew, we glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, we sweetly remember your blessed coming to us, We honor your honorable suffering, which you endured for Christ, we kiss your sacred relics, we honor your holy memory and we believe that as the Lord lives, your soul lives as well, and you remain with Him forever in Heaven, where you loved us with the same love that you loved us, when you saw through the Holy Spirit. If you have already turned to Christ, and not just love, but pray to God for us, all our needs are in vain in His Light. Thus we believe and thus we confess this faith in the temple, which was most gloriously created in your name, Saint Andrew, where your holy relics rest; Believers, we ask and pray to the Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, that through your prayers, who always listens and accepts, He will give us everything we need for the salvation of us sinners; Yes, just as you are abiy according to the voice of the Lord, having left your dreams, you have unswervingly followed Him, this and everyone from us, and not seeking your own, but also for the building up of your neighbor and for the heavenly calling, yes thinks. Having you as a representative and prayer book for us, we trust that your prayer can accomplish much before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom is due all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy One Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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Prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called for health
Health is the most valuable thing for a person and often illnesses lead to a person turning to Higher powers. A prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called for health will help you cope with the disease faster, but you can also say it as a preventive measure. Church ministers assure that by praying you can heal the soul and, as a result, gain and strengthen health.
It is recommended to find time to go to the temple and place three candles near the image of Jesus and his main disciple, the Great Martyr and Panteleimon. When leaving, take consecrated water and buy nine church candles. The previously listed icons should also be present at home. After sunset, retire, light candles, place images and a container of water near them.
Prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called for healing
You are allowed to pray not only in case of your own illness, since you can also pray for a loved one who has health problems. The prayer to the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called can be said in church in front of the appropriate ceremony or at home. Place the image near the sick person and periodically wash it with holy water. In the temple it is recommended to light a candle for the health of a loved one.
Patron of sailors and fishermen
An ancient legend says that the apostle resurrected drowned people. People sailed to Patras, where he preached, in order to hear blessed speeches and heed the Word of God. But a strong storm broke out at sea and all the pilgrims drowned. Their bodies were carried by sea waves to the shore, where, by the Will of God, the saint was at that moment.
Andrew the First-Called
Having prayed over the mortal bodies, he brought them back to life. Thanks to this act, Saint Andrew is revered as the patron saint of fishermen and sailors.
The flag of the Russian flotilla is decorated with the St. Andrew's Cross. It is found on the mast of every Russian ship and before setting sail it is sprinkled with holy water and a prayer service is served.
About the saints equal to the apostles in Orthodoxy:
- Relics of Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga
- Life of Equal-to-the-Apostles Cosmas of Aetolia
- Relics of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir
And the holy apostle from heaven protects people from misfortunes and troubles.
The icon with his face must be kept in the captain’s cabin, so that in case of danger, one can raise prayers for help and, by the Will of God, calm the sea elements.
Important! Fishermen going out to sea must recite a prayer to the holy elder so that the waves will be merciful to them and the catch will be generous.
