April 26, 2013

A-Z 2013 the letter X


St Andrew was the younger brother of St Peter and a disciple of Jesus Christ.  They were fishermen and Christ said he would make them fishers of men...and He did.

The Gospel of John says that originally Andrew was a disciple of St John the Baptist but when Andrew heard John say “Behold the Lamb of God” Andrew knew Jesus was greater and began following Him.  He brought his brother Simon Peter with him to meet Jesus and he was also called to be an Apostle.

After the crucifixion of Christ; it’s believed Andrew continued to preach the gospels from Asia to as far as Russia. 




St Andrew himself was crucified in Greece and became a martyr. He however considered himself unworthy to be put on the same type of cross that Jesus was crucified on. So he asked to be tied to a Crux decussata or an X shaped cross. 

X for St Andrew's cross.













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28 comments:

  1. This is a very interesting post. It really moved me to the core. Wow. Thank you. Jennifer a.k.a Urban Gypsy Girl

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  2. I never knew this. Very interesting! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/

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  3. This is a horrible realization, isn't it? Most of the disciples died excruciating deaths. I've often wondered how steadfast I would be if pressed about my faith. I pray we are never as persecuted, but sometimes I wonder if that's coming at some point. ;-(
    from The Dugout

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  4. That's an "X" that provokes some thought!

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    Replies
    1. Jennifer, It is something isn't it?

      Angela, Well I've learned tons of things reading your blog this A-Z so I'm glad I can return the favor!

      Shannon, Glad I could enlighten you today about the Saints :)

      Mare, Me too Mare. And to think being an Apostle and he still didn't feel worthy..something to think about!

      Ms A, No truer words!

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  5. St Andrew is also the Patron Saint of Scotland and St Andrew's cross a white X on a blue back ground is the Scottish flag and along with the Irish ,Welsh and English flag are all put together to make the Union Jack which some people think is the English flag,it's not,it's the flags of all 4 countries put together.
    The stories of some of the disciples are all very sad they were lost without Jesus.

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  6. That's a sad post. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. I never knew that. Learn something new everyday.

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  8. I didn't know about the x cross, but I think most of the diciples asked not to be crucified in the same way. I think it was Peter who was hung upside down. And as I type that I wonder about myself who says it so matter of factly. You have made me think today. thank you for your x post.

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  9. Jen, great to be on your site today, thanks for sharing this post, I had never hear of St Andrew, it is always good to learn something new. I have shared your blog on my post day. Blessings!

    Amanda - Realityarts-Creativity
    Art Blog

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    Replies
    1. Anne, Thanks for adding this information! I have enough Irish in me that I should be ashamed of myself for forgetting it!! lol

      Francene, very sad indeed.

      Kim, yup!

      Stacey, Can you imagine it took a few days for him to die and he was preaching The Gospels while he was dying!!

      Amanda, Just google "the apostles" and be amazed by love and faith!

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  10. oh my gosh- I had not heard this before. Thanks.
    Have a lovely day- and arent we lucky we can worship freely without fear.

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  11. I remember that story although I hadn't heard it in a long time. It was, after all, the origin of the cross of St. Andrew on the Scottish flag.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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  12. I learned of him in Catholic school, but it has been a long time. I'd mostly forgotten his story. Not now ;).

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  13. Jen, what a thoughtful and interesting post. I remember the painting more than the story of Saint Peter. Anne Mackle's comment certainly adds an interesting bit of history as well. Great Letter X post.

    Loved your comment about Kissin and Quiltin Cousins. Thanks

    My Letter'X'...TeXas Our TeXas Quilt
    Sue CollectInTeXasGal
    AtoZ LoneStar Quilting Bee

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  14. I didn't know that St Andrew preached the Gospel from Asia to Russia. Thanks for that update! I always like reinforcement of the Gospel! Thanks, Jen!

    Have a blessed weekend! Enjoy!

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  15. I didn't know about all the places he preached the bible. Interesting. :)

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    1. Kathe,Amen to that Kathe!

      Jo, Thanks Jo such an important symbol.

      Mary, It's a rather dramatic story; but if I remember correctly the nuns and priests probably made it sound boring.

      Sue, The lives of saints were all but boring and their deaths painful and dramatic.

      Betty, They (the Apostles) traveled all over and can you imagine they did it without the aid of anything but boats or animals!! Amazing

      Karen, Spreading the word, They apparently took that literally and traveled far distances. Really something.

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  16. Great story, Jen. I don't remember it ... if I ever knew it, I forgot, so this was good to read.

    btw, meant to say how much I like your choice of quote above (header).

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    Replies
    1. I agree. It fit with the "X" theme so I figured I should go with it!
      Glad you enjoyed it and the quote.



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  17. Crucifixion has to be one of the very worst ways to go. ugh.

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  18. I also never knew the story of St. Andrew. I agree with Trisha about his death being "one of the worst ways to go."

    Julie

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  19. The early Christians were all fishers of men--which I thought was interesting and many, according to the book of Acts, used every opportunity to talk to people about Christ and the Christian way.

    I also thought it interesting that the apostles (following Christ's example) trained many to spread out beyond their neighborhoods and usually sent by twos to everywhere including some that traveled with the apostles to distant areas. Some of those pairs were left in those areas for a while to help a fledgling congregation to grow and become strong.

    Simon Peter has always been a favorite of mine--he was impulsive, far from perfect, but his heart was good or he wouldn't have been used as much as he was. The account doesn't say if Andrew was as impulsive but obviously his heart was equally good and he set a fine example and was actively involved in spreading the good news throughout the land. So many of the early Christians were killed in the line of love and duty to our heavenly father and his son. What they preached and taught was very different from the common beliefs of the time. People who are different tend to be targets.

    They were successful--the account says the complaint of many (and especially the Jewish religious leaders) was everywhere they went they heard or saw the disciples of Christ preaching and teaching. All without a car or plane in sight. Can you imagine how physically fit they were?

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  20. This is such a creative post for X, and very interesting. Thank you

    #atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

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  21. I didn't know this. It was really interesting to learn!

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    Replies
    1. Trisha, I can imagine the suffering!

      Dee, Glad you came by and read my X post!

      Julie, Happy to share his story with you.

      Sia, The years and miles traveled by the Apostles were incredible! Thanks for commenting!

      Kristen, Thanks I was trying to go for original!

      Liz, Hey you! Well know you do :)

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