Saint Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and the brother of Simon (later the apostle Peter). A Galilean fisherman of Bethsaida, he was originally a disciple of John the Baptist. In the Gospel of John (1:35-42), Andrew was the first called of Jesus' disciples.

According to tradition, Andrew was crucified at Patras, in Achaia, on an X-shaped cross, the form of which became known as Saint Andrew's Cross.

Eusebius of Caesarea records that Andrew preached Christianity among the Scythians, thus becoming the patron saint of Russia. He is also the patron saint of Greece.

In the 8th century relics of Andrew were taken to the future site of St. Andrews in Scotland, so that he is the patron saint of that country as well; a white Saint Andrew's cross on a blue field is the national flag of Scotland. Andrew's feast day is November 30.