Georgia marks feast day of St Andrew the First-Called
St Andrew was the first disciple called by Jesus, leading to the title “First-Called”
Author
Front News Georgia
The Georgian Orthodox Church on 12 May marks the feast day of St Andrew the First-Called, regarded as the enlightener of Georgia and one of the first apostles of Jesus Christ.
According to Christian tradition, St Andrew was the first disciple called by Jesus, leading to the title “First-Called”. He was also the brother of the Apostle Peter.
The Church teaches that St Andrew travelled to Georgia to preach Christianity under the direction of the Virgin Mary. Before his journey, the Mother of God is said to have instructed him to spread the Gospel in the land considered her spiritual inheritance.
Tradition holds that St Andrew first entered the territory of Kartli through Didachara, carrying with him a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.
St Andrew later died by crucifixion in the Greek city of Patras.
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