Andrew son of Jonas and brother of Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade. The brothers seem to have come from Bethsaida, although at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry they are in based in Capernaum. 

In John’s Gospel (John 1:40) we hear that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist before becoming a disciple of Jesus and one of the Twelve. As a result of Andrew’s first encounter with Jesus, he came to realise that Jesus was the Messiah. He then went to tell his brother Simon, whom he brought to Jesus. In the Eastern Church he is called Protokletos, meaning the ‘first called’, because his calling is the first mentioned in the Gospel narrative. The name ‘Andrew’ (from the Greek andreia, meaning ‘manliness’) seems to have been common among Jews from the 2nd century onward. His Aramaic name is unknown.

In the oldest representations Andrew is shown with a normal Latin cross. The X-shaped cross we now call ‘St Andrew’s Cross’ was associated with him from the 10th century and became common in the 14th. It is represented on the flag of Scotland and is also incorporated into the flag of the United Kingdom. His other symbol is, naturally enough, a fishing net.

Almighty God, 
who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew 
that he readily obeyed the call of your Son, Jesus Christ:
give us, who are called by your holy Word,
the grace to follow him without delay,
and to be messengers of the good news of your kingdom;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen