Andrew was from Bethsaida and son of Jona, a fisherman. He and his brother Simon Peter lived in Capernaum, working as fishermen with their own boat. It is not known who was the older or if Andrew was married - although St Paul says later that all the apostles were married. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist before Jesus' baptism. Because he fetched Peter to meet Jesus after being told who He was, the Greeks called Andrew Protoclete, meaning First called. He is mentioned in the Gospels at the feeding of the 5000; it was he who gave the basket of loaves and fishes to Jesus. He was also sent out with the others by Jesus and given the power to cast out demons and heal people. He was also asked to help some Greeks meet Jesus in Jerusalem.
Andrew was obviously considered important by the disciples as he is always fourth on every list of them. Although hardly mentioned in the Gospels, his character is indicated. He was no doubt a thoughtful and spiritual person, so that John the Baptist could tell him that Jesus was the Messiah and it would be taken seriously. In giving the basket to Jesus, he believed in His divine powers. Andrew was also good with people, and had time for a child. The disciple Philip certainly had confidence in him. It is not known what happened to him. Some later written evidence states that he went to preach in Greece, particularly in Scythia and Epirus. The people of Sinope claimed to have a picture of him. He was crucified in Patras and took two days to die as he was tied to the cross in about 60AD. Some of his relics were taken to Constantinople in the 4th century, and to Amalfi in Italy in 1204 AD Other relics were said to have been taken by St Rule to St Andrews in Scotland in the 8th century where he became bishop and built a church.
Andrew was a very popular saint in Europe, especially in Saxon England from the 6th century. Rochester was the first of 637 dedications to him in England alone. In early art Andrew carries a net or an ordinary cross. The X-shaped one does not become his symbol until the 14th century.
Andrew's name, which may have been given him by Jesus, is Greek and means 'manly'.