The Life of Saint Andrew Fool for Christ

SAINT ANDREW, FOOL FOR CHRIST Commemorated on October 2

TROPARION, TONE 1

Having heard the voice of Thine Apostle Paul, who said: * We are fools for Christ's sake,* Thy slave Andrew* was a fool upon earth for Thy sake, O Christ God.* Wherefore, venerating now his memory, we pray to Thee:* O Lord, save our souls.


FROM THE LIVES OF SAINTS
ACCORDING TO ST. DEMETRIUS OF ROSTOV1

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1 October volume, Moscow, 1904, pp. 52-74. The Russian Life is largely a condensed version of the original Life by the Saint's disciple Nicephorus. The titles have been added by the translator.


1. The Saint is called to a life of struggle.

IN THE REIGN of the Greek Emperor Leo the Great, the Wise (886-912), son of the Emperor Basil the Macedonian (867-886), there lived in Constantinople a certain man whose name was Theognostes. He bought a multitude of slaves, among whom was a certain boy, Slavic (Scythian) by blood, whose name was Andrew. This boy was handsome and outstanding by reason of his character. Theognostes loved him more than his other slaves, assigned him to be his most trusted servant, and sent him away to be educated in sacred books. Having studied the Sacred Scripture, Andrew often went to churches, prayed to God, and read sacred books. Once at night, while he was standing at prayer, the cunning devil, seeing this, envied this good work and began to knock loudly at the door of the room where the youth was. Andrew became terrified, ceased to pray, quickly lay down in bed, and covered himself with a deer skin. Seeing this, satan rejoiced and said to another demon: "Do you see this youth? Not long ago he was eating beans, and now he is already arming himself against us!"

Having said this, satan vanished. The blessed one fell sound asleep from fear, and in his sleep he saw the following vision: It seemed to him that he was in a great arena, on one side of which stood a multitude of Ethiopians, and on the other a multitude of holy men in white garments. Between the two sides there was as it were a contest and battle. The Ethiopians, having on their side one dark giant, with pride proposed to those clothed in white garments that they should take from their midst one such battler who would be strong enough to fight with their black Ethiopian, who was the general of their numberless legion. The dark Ethiopians were boasting of their power, but those in white garments answered nothing to them. Blessed Andrew stood there and looked, desiring to know who would decide to enter into battle with this frightful adversary. And then he saw a splendid youth coming down from above, holding in his hands three crowns: one of them was adorned with pure gold and precious stones, the second with a large shining pearl, and the third—the largest of the crowns—was woven of unfading white and red flowers and branches from the paradise of God. These crowns were so wondrous in beauty as to be beyond comprehension, and undescribable by the human tongue.

Seeing this, Andrew thought how he might receive at least one of these three crowns. Going up to the youth who had appeared, he said: "For the sake of Christ, tell me, are you selling these crowns? Although I myself cannot buy them, still, if you wait a little for me I will go and tell my master, and he will pay you for these crowns as much as you wish."

The youth, shining in face, said to him: "Believe me, beloved, if you were to offer me all the gold in the whole world, I would not sell, either to you or to anyone else, a single flower from these crowns, because these crowns have been made from the heavenly treasures of Christ, and not from the adornments of the vain world. They are used to crown those who will battle against those black Ethiopians. If you wish to receive one—and not just one, but all three crowns—then enter into single combat with that black Ethiopian, and when you shall conquer him, you will take from me all three of the crowns you see."

Hearing this, Andrew was filled with determination and said to the youth: "Believe me, I will do what you have said; only instruct me in his tricks." The youth said: "And do you not know in what his cunning consists? Are the Ethiopians not frightful and threatening in appearance? But actually they are weak in power. Do not fear his immense size and fearful gaze; he is weak and rotten, like decayed grass!"

Strengthening Andrew by these words, the splendid youth began to teach him how to fight with the Ethiopian. He said: "When the Ethiopian seizes you and begins to fight with you, do not be afraid, but engage him in the form of a cross—and you will see the help of God."

After this the blessed one went out in front and in a loud voice cried to the Ethiopian: "Come out to battle." Threatening and trying to frighten him, the Ethiopian approached and seized Andrew, and for quite a long time he turned Andrew about, first towards one side and then towards the other. The Ethiopians began to applaud, and those clothed in white garments seemed to grow pale, because they feared that this Ethiopian would hit Andrew against the ground. Andrew was already conquered by the Ethiopian, but straightening himself, he strove against him in the form of a cross. The demon collapsed like an immense tree that has been undercut, and in falling he hit his forehead on a stone and cried out, "Alas, alas!" Those clothed in white garments greatly rejoiced. They lifted Andrew in their arms, began to kiss him, and triumphed in his victory over the Ethiopian.

Then the black soldiers with great shame were turned to flight, and the splendid youth gave the crowns to Andrew and, embracing him, said: "Go in peace. From this time forth you will be our friend and brother. Go out to the struggle of virtue: be naked and a fool for My sake, and you will be manifest in the day of My Kingdom as a participant of many good things."

Having heard this from that splendid youth, the blessed Andrew awoke from sleep and was astonished at the extraordinary dream. And from that time he became a fool for Christ's sake.

The next day, having risen from sleep, he prayed, took a knife, and went to the well; here he took his garment off and, pretending to be out of his mind, he cut it into pieces. Early in the morning a cook came to the well for water and, seeing Andrew as in some kind of delirium, he went up and told their master about it. Grieving over Andrew, the master went to him and found him as if out of his wits and speaking senselessly. Thinking that Andrew was possessed by a demon, he put iron chains on him and ordered that he be brought to the church of St. Anastasia. During the day Andrew pretended to be out of his mind, and at night he prayed to God and to St. Anastasia. But in the depths of his heart he reflected about whether the work which he had undertaken was pleasing to God or not, and he wished to receive a confirmation of this.

As he was thus reflecting, in a vision there appeared to him five women and a single bright Elder walking, treating and visiting the sick. They came likewise to Andrew, and the Elder said to the eldest woman: "Lady Anastasia, why do you not treat him?" "Master!" the woman replied. "He has been treated by Him Who said to him: 'Become a fool for My sake, and in the day of My Kingdom you will be a participant of many good things.' He does not need treatment."

Having said this, they went into the church, from which they did not come out again, although Andrew looked behind them until the wood was struck for Matins. Then the blessed one understood that his struggle was pleasing to God; he rejoiced in spirit and all the more fervently began to labor—at night in prayer, and in the daytime in exploits of foolishness.

Once blessed Andrew at night, according to his custom, was offering up in the depths of his heart prayer to God and to Saint Anastasia the Martyr. And behold, there came to him, in clearly visible form, the devil with a multitude of demons, holding an axe; the other demons carried knives, timbers, stakes, and spears, as if intending to kill the blessed one. The previous Ethiopian also appeared in the form in which he had battled with Andrew, and while still far off he roared at him. Throwing himself upon the Saint, he wished to cut him to pieces with the hatchet which he held in his hands. After him all the other demons also threw themselves upon him. The Saint, however, raising his hands with tears, cried out to the Lord: "Do not give to the beasts the soul which offers to Thee glory and honor!" And then he again cried out: "Holy Apostle John the Theologian, help me!"

And behold, thunder resounded, a multitude of men appeared, and a splendid Elder appeared who had a face brighter than the sun, and with him a great multitude of servants. Threateningly and strictly he said to those who were with him: "Close the gates so that not one of these may escape!" Immediately the gates were closed, and all the Ethiopians were seized. And Andrew heard how one of the demons secretly said to his companion: "Cursed is the hour in which we were tempted; for John is unmerciful and wishes to torture us cruelly!"

Saint John, however, commanded that the people who had come with him, clothed in white garments, should take the iron chains from the neck of Andrew. Then he stood behind the gates and said: "Lead the Ethiopians to me, one at a time." They brought the first demon and stretched him out on the ground. Taking the chains, the Apostle bent them over three times and gave the devil a hundred blows. The devil cried out like a man: "Have mercy on me!"

After this they stretched out another demon, and he likewise was subjected to blows; then a third one, and he also received as many blows. And the blows to which the Lord subjected the demons were not phantom blows, but were real punishment which brought suffering to the demons. When in this way all the Ethiopians had been punished, John said to them: "Go and show to your father satan the blows which have been given you; see if this will be pleasing to him!"

After those clothed in white garments had departed and the demons had vanished, the splendid Elder went up to Andrew, the slave of God, and placing the chains on his neck said to him: "You see how I hastened to your help, for I am very concerned about you, since God has entrusted me to care for you. And so, have patience: soon you will be set free and you will walk in your own will wherever you please." "My Lord," said Andrew, "who are you?" The Elder replied: "I am he who lay on the breast of the Lord." (John 13:22.)

Having said this, Saint John shone like lightning and vanished from the eyes of the youth. And Blessed Andrew glorified God because He had sent His beloved disciple to his aid.

After the appearance of Saint John the Theologian, the conversation with him, and the torments given to the demons, blessed Andrew, being chained as before, lay down, desiring to fall asleep—and at this time he came into an ecstatic state. He saw himself in a royal palace. On a throne, in great glory, sat a King Who called Andrew to Him and asked: "Do you desire with your whole soul to labor for Me?" Andrew replied: "I desire it, O Lord!"

The King gave him something very bitter to eat, and at the same time said to him: "Such is the sorrowful path of those who labor for Me in this world."

After this He gave Andrew to eat something whiter than snow and sweeter than manna. After eating it Andrew rejoiced and forgot the bitterness of the first food. And the King said to him: "Such is My food for those who serve Me and manfully endure to the end. And you also: manfully complete your struggle as you have begun it; for having borne a little suffering in this life, you will remain eternally in unending life."

Awakening from sleep, Andrew had the thought that the first food which he had seen, which was bitter, represented patience in the present world, and the latter food, which was sweet, represented eternal life.

After this, Andrew's master kept him with him for four months, and then let him go free.

2. He endures struggles, deprivations, and mockeries.

Pretending to be out of his mind, Andrew began to run about the streets. He walked in the city, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated, of whom the world was not worthy (Heb. 11:37-38). Some people mocked him as a fool, others chased him away, despising him like a stinking dog, while others considered him to be possessed by a demon, and small children taunted and beat the blessed one. But he endured everything and prayed for those who offended him.

If any of those who love and are merciful to the poor would give Andrew some alms, he would take it but then give it away to other paupers. However, he gave away in such a way that no one would know that he was giving alms: becoming angry at the poor people, and as if desiring to beat them, like a fool he would throw into their face the money which he held in his hands, and the poor people would gather it up. Sometimes he did not eat bread for three days at a time, and sometimes he was hungry for a whole week, and if he did not find someone who would give him a crust of bread, he would spend a second week without food. For clothing Andrew had a worthless shirt which hardly covered his bodily nakedness. Imitating in everything Saint Symeon the fool for Christ,1 in the daytime he ran about the streets, and at night he remained in prayer. Living in such a large city, among a large population, he did not have a place to lay his head. The poor chased him away from their huts, and the rich did not allow him into the courtyards of their dwellings. When he had to sleep and give a little rest to his tortured body, he would seek a pile of garbage, where dogs were lying, and settle himself in their midst. But even the dogs did not allow the slave of God to come close; some bit him and chased him away, while others ran away from him themselves. He never went to sleep under a roof, but always, whether in cold or heat, wallowing like Lazarus in filth and dirt, trampled upon by men and animals. Thus this voluntary martyr suffered, and thus did the fool laugh at the whole world: For the foolishness of God is wiser than men (I Cor. 1:25). And the grace of the Holy Spirit came to dwell in him, and he received the gift of clairvoyance, for he had begun to penetrate the thoughts of men.

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1 Who labored in Edessa, Syria, about 590; commemorated July 21.


3. His prophecy to the gravedigger.

Once in Constantinople the daughter of a certain nobleman died. She had spent her life in virginal purity, and in dying she gave a testament that she be buried beyond the city in the cemetery for paupers which was in the garden of her father. When she died she was brought to this place, where she was buried according to the Christian custom. At this time there was in Constantinople a gravedigger who would dig up the graves and take the clothing from the corpses. Standing in the road, he looked to see where the virgin would be buried. Noting the place of her sepulchre, he decided, when night came, to dig up the grave and take the clothing from the dead girl.

Now it happened that Saint Andrew also, in performing his usual struggles of foolishness for Christ's sake, came to this place. As soon as he noticed this gravedigger, he foresaw in spirit his evil intent. Desiring to dissuade the thief from his intended deed, and foreseeing what punishment would come to him, Saint Andrew looked at him with a severe appearance and, as if in great anger, said: "Thus saith the Spirit Who judges those who take the garments from those lying in the tombs: You will no longer see the sun; you will no longer see the day nor the face of man. The gates of your house shall be closed for you, and never will they be opened. The day will grow dark for you and will never grow light again."

Hearing this, the gravedigger did not understand what the Saint was talking about, and he went away, paying no attention to his words. The Saint, however, again looked at him and said: "Are you going away? Do not steal! But if you do this, then I bear witness by the name of Jesus: you will never see the sun again!"

Understanding that the Saint was speaking to him, the gravedigger was astonished how he had discovered his intention, and returning to the Saint, he said: "You are simply possessed by a demon, and it is by the instigation of the demon that you speak of what is secret and unknown! But I will deliberately go to that place so as to see whether your words will be fulfilled!"

After this the Saint went away, continuing to be foolish. With the coming of evening, having chosen a suitable time, the thief rolled away the stone and entered the tomb. First of all he took the upper garment of the reposed one and all her ornaments, for they were very valuable. Having these, he intended to go away, but some kind of inner voice said to him: "Take also the undergarment; after all, it is a good one." Taking the undergarment from the girl, he was going to leave the tomb. The dead girl, however, by the commandment of God, raised her right hand and struck the gravedigger in the face, and he was immediately blinded. Then the unfortunate one was terrified and trembled, so that from fear his jaw began to shake, and his teeth, his knees and all his bones likewise.

And the dead girl opened her mouth and said: "O unfortunate and cursed man! You did not fear God; you did not think that you also are a man. You should have been ashamed of a virgin's nakedness; you should have been satisfied with what you had already taken and at least have left the undergarment for my naked body. But you had no mercy on me, but were cruel to me, thinking to make me a laughing-stock before all the holy virgins in the day of the Lord's Second Coming. But now I will treat you in such a way that you will never steal again, so that you might know that Jesus Christ our God is alive, and that after death there is a judgment, reward and punishment."

Having uttered these words, the virgin arose and took her undergarment, dressed herself in it, and placing upon herself all the garments and ornaments, lay down and said: Thou, O Lord, alone hast made me to dwell in hope (Psalm 4:9).

With these words she again reposed in peace. And that miserable one had scarcely the power to leave the tomb and find the garden wall. Seizing with his hands first one and then the other wall of the enclosure, he went out on the nearest road and began to crawl to the city gates. To those who asked the reason for his blindness, he related something else entirely from what actually happened. Later, however, he told everything that had happened to him to a certain friend of his. From that time he began to beg alms, and in this way he gained a livelihood for himself. Often he would say to himself: "Be cursed, O my greediness, for because of you blindness has come upon me!"

He likewise remembered St. Andrew and was astonished at how everything had happened in accordance with what the Saint had foreseen and foretold.

4. The rich man's funeral.

Once, when going about the city, Saint Andrew saw that people were carrying a dead person towards him. The dead person was a very rich man, and around his coffin there were walking a great number of people with candles and censers. The clergy were singing the usual funeral hymns, and his relatives and close ones were weeping and lamenting. Seeing with his clairvoyant eyes what was being done with this dead man, the Saint stopped and began to look. And behold, falling for a long time into complete unconsciousness, he saw with his spiritual eyes a multitude of Ethiopians walking about the coffin and crying out loudly: "Woe to him, woe to him!"

Some of them were holding sacks in their hands, out of which they were sprinkling dust on the people who surrounded the dead man. Other devils were dancing and shamelessly mocking, like shameless harlots; and still others were howling like dogs, and others were grunting like pigs. The dead man was for them an object of joy and rejoicing. Certain of the demons who surrounded the dead man sprinkled him with foul-smelling water; others were flying in the air around the coffin on which the dead man lay. From the corpse of this dead sinner there came a suffocating stench. Going behind the dead man, the demons applauded and made a frightful noise with their feet, mocking those who were singing, and saying: "May God not let any of you pitiful Christians see the light, for you are singing over a dog: 'With the saints give rest to his soul,' and at the same time you are calling him who was a participant in every evil a slave of God."

Looking again Andrew saw that one of the princes of the demons, with a flaming glance, went up to the coffin of that miserable one with pitch and sulphur in order to burn his body. And when the rite of burial had been performed, Saint Andrew saw an angel going in the form of a splendid youth and weeping bitter tears. Passing by, the angel drew near to Saint Andrew. The latter, thinking that this youth was one of those close to the dead man, and that this was the reason he was weeping thus, went up to him and said: "I beg you in the name of the God of heaven and earth: tell me the reason for your lamentation; for I have never seen anyone weeping so bitterly over a dead man as you are."

The angel replied: "This is why I am shedding tears: I was placed in order to guard this dead man, whom you see, when he was being carried to the grave. But the devil took him to himself. This is the reason for my lamentation and sorrow."

To this the Saint said to him: "Now I understand who you are. I implore you, holy angel, tell me what kind of sins this dead man had, for which the devil has taken him into his hands."

"Andrew, chosen one of God!" replied the angel. "Since you desire to know this, I will tell you without hiding anything. I see the beauty of your holy soul which is shining like pure gold, and having seen you I have become a little consoled in my grief. This man was in great honor with the emperor, but he was a frightful sinner and led a criminal life. He was an adulterer and a fornicator and was infected with the sin of Sodom. He was a flatterer, unmerciful, a lover of money, a liar, and a hater of men; one who kept evil memory of people and would take revenge, an oath-breaker. His poor servant he killed by hunger, blows, and nakedness, leaving her in wintertime without shoes and clothing. Many slaves he likewise killed and buried them in the horse field. Being possessed with lust which is hateful to God, he defiled 300 souls by his vile and repulsive sins of fornication. But for him also there came the time of harvest, and death found him unrepentant and with unspeakable sins. The demons took his soul, and his repulsive body—as you yourself see— the evil spirits accompanied with mockery. This is why, O holy soul, I am grieving; being overcome with deep sorrow, I weep because the one who was guarded by me has now become the laughing-stock of demons."

To these words of the angel of God the Saint said: "I implore you, friend, to cease this lamentation; the dead man acted badly, and therefore he died without repentance. Let him be filled with the fruits of his deeds. But you, O flaming one, filled with every virtue, a servant of the Almighty Lord of Sabaoth, from now unto the ages will be under the grace of your God."

After these words, the angel invisibly departed from Andrew. The passersby in their unworthiness were unable to see the angel, and thinking that the Saint was speaking to himself, said to each other: "Look at this fool who is amusing himself and senselessly speaking to a wall."

And with this they pushed him and chased him away, saying: "What do you need, fool? You are unworthy to converse with men, and so you are conversing with a wall, is that it?"

The Saint departed in silence, and going away in a secret place he bitterly wept over the perdition of the unfortunate one whom he had seen being carried to the grave.

5. The Saint's spiritual state is revealed.

Once Saint Andrew was walking in a crowd of people at the marketplace near the column which had been erected by Emperor Constantine.1 A certain woman whose name was Barbara, being enlightened by the Holy Spirit, with terror beheld blessed Andrew in the crowd shining like a flaming pillar. At the same time certain foolish ones were pushing him and others were beating him; and many, looking at him, said, "This man is a fool; he has lost his reason. May this not happen even to our enemies!"

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1 This was evidently the column erected by St. Constantine the Great at Rome, and moved by him to his new capital of Constantinople, in commemoration of his victory over Maxentius after the Cross of Christ had appeared in the sky.


The demons, walking after Saint Andrew in the form of black Ethiopians, said: "Oh, if God would only not send upon earth another one like this; for no one has so withered our hearts as has this man, who, not desiring to serve his master, has pretended to be a fool and mocks the whole world."

And this woman saw that the Ethiopians were making note of those who beat the Saint and said to each other: "It is pleasant to us that they are beating him senselessly, because for the harm done to an innocent God-pleaser they will be condemned at the hour of their death and they will have no salvation."

Hearing this, the blessed one by the inspiration of the Spirit of God strove against them like a flame and destroyed with marvelous power the written notes of the demons and, in anger at them, said: "You must not make note of those who beat me, for I am praying to my Master that their giving blows to me may not be considered a sin against them. They are doing this out of ignorance, and because of their ignorance they will obtain forgiveness."

While the Saint was saying this, suddenly the heavens were opened like a gate, and there came down over the Saint a multitude of most splendid swallows, and in their midst a large dove white as snow, holding in its beak a golden olive leaf. And the dove said to the Saint with a human voice: "Take this leaf; it is sent to you from paradise by  Almighty as a sign of His good will towards you, for you have mercy upon and forgive those who give blows to you, and you pray for them that it might not be considered a sin against them."

With these words the dove came down upon the head of the Saint. Seeing all this, the pious woman was astonished and, coming to herself after this vision, she said: "How many luminaries God has on the earth, and no one knows them!"

Many times she intended to relate her vision to others, but the power of God prevented her. Later Andrew met her in a certain place and said to her: "Keep my secret, O Barbara, and do not relate what you have seen to anyone until I go to the place of the wondrous tabernacle, even to the house of God (Psalm 41:5).

"Precious luminary and Saint of God," said Barbara, "even if I wished to tell anyone of my vision, I could not, for the invisible power of God prevents me."

6. The fate of the sinful nobleman.

Walking about the city, Saint Andrew met once a certain nobleman, and spiritually beholding his life, spit on him and said: "Evil fornicator, blasphemer of the Church! You pretend that you are going to church and say, 'I am going to Matins,' whereas in reality you are going to satan for filthy deeds. O lawless one who rise at midnight and anger God! Already the time has come for you to be rewarded according to your deeds! Do you think that you will hide from the fearful, all-seeing, and all-testing eye of God?"

Hearing this, the nobleman hit his horse and left so as not to be put to shame even more. After the passage of some days he became very ill and began to wither. Those close to him brought him from one church to another, and from one physician to another, but this brought no benefit to him. Soon came the time for this miserable man to depart into eternal torment. One night the Saint saw around the house of this nobleman an angel of the Lord who had come from the west. The angel had the appearance of a fiery flame and had a great flaming shield. When the angel went up to the sick man he heard a voice from above: "Beat this blasphemer, this repulsive sodomite, and while beating him say: 'Do you desire to commit yet more sins and defile other people? Will you continue to go out for diabolical and lawless deeds, while pretending that you are going to Matins?'"

The angel began to do what was commanded of him. The voice of the angel and his blows were audible, but the angel was not visible. In such torments this man gave up his spirit.

7. The conversion of the stingy monk.

Going once to the marketplace, Saint Andrew met a monk whom everyone praised for his virtuous life. It is true that he struggled as befits a monk, but he was inclined beyond all measure to the love of money. Many of the residents of the city, confessing their sins to him, would give much gold for him to distribute to the poor; but he, being possessed with the insatiable passion of love of money, gave nothing to anyone, but would put everything into a sack and rejoice when he saw that the money was increasing. Going along the same road as this pitiful monk, blessed Andrew saw with his clairvoyant eyes that this lover of money was being twined about by a frightful serpent. Going up close to the monk, the Saint began to look closely at this serpent. The monk, however, taking Andrew for one of the paupers who would beg for alms, said to him: "My God have mercy on you, brother, but I have nothing to give you."

Going away a short distance from him, the blessed one noticed that around him, in the air over the serpent, there was written in dark letters these words: "The root of all iniquity is the serpent of the love of money."

Looking back, the Saint noticed two youths who were quarrelling with each other; one of them was dark and had dark eyes (this was a demon), and the other was an angel of God, who was white like the light of heaven. The dark one said: "The monk is mine, since he fulfills my will. He is unmerciful and a lover of money; he has no part with God and labors for me as a servant of the idols."

"No, he is mine," answered the angel, "for he fasts, prays, and is meek and humble."

Thus they disputed, and there was no agreement between them. And there was a voice from heaven that addressed the light-bearing angel, saying: "You have no part in that wearer of black; leave him, because he labors not for God but for mammon."

After this the angel of the Lord stepped away from him, and the spirit of darkness received the primacy over him. Seeing this, the blessed Andrew was astonished that the hostile demon had conquered the bright angel in this dispute.

Meeting this monk once on the street, the Saint took him by his right hand and said: "Servant of God, listen to me, your slave, without becoming irritated, and mercifully accept my humble words, for because of you great sorrow has come upon me, and I cannot bear any longer that you, being at first a friend of God, have become now the servant and friend of the devil. You had wings like a Seraphim; why have you given yourself over to satan so that he might cut them off entirely? You had a face that was shining like lightning; why have you grown dark? Woe is me! You had sight as from many eyes, and now the serpent has entirely blinded you. You were a sun, but you have set in a dark and miserable night. Why, O brother, have you ruined your soul? Why have you become the friend of the demon of love of money, and allowed him to remain with you? Why do you gather gold? Do you think that you will be buried with it? After all, when you die it shall go to others. Do you really wish that stinginess should cause your perdition? While others die of hunger, cold and thirst, you rejoice beholding an abundance of gold. But are such the paths to repentance? Is such the rule for monks, which commands that one disdain the vanities of life? Is it thus that you have renounced the world and all that is in the world? Is it thus that you have become crucified unto the world and to all its vanities? Have you not heard the Lord Who says: Have neither gold nor silver nor two coats? (Matt. 10:9). Why have you forgotten these commandments? Behold, today or tomorrow our life will end, and whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:20). Do you not know that the angel who protects you has gone far away from you with weeping, and the devil stands next to you, and around your neck the serpent of love of money has become entwined, and you do not notice it? I speak the truth to you: while passing by I heard the Lord renouncing you. I entreat you: give your possessions to the poor, to widows and orphans, the poor and strangers who have no place to lay their heads. Strive again to be the friend of God. If you will not obey me, you will perish by a cruel death. In the name of Jesus Christ I testify that you will immediately see the devil."

After this he added: "Do you see him?"

And the spiritual eyes of the monk were opened, and he saw the devil, black as an Ethiopian, like a beast with frightful jaws; but he stood far away, and seeing Andrew did not dare to come near. Then the monk said to the Saint: "Slave of God, I see him, and a terrible fear has taken hold of me. Tell me, what must I do for the salvation of my soul?"

Andrew again said to him: "Believe me, if you do not obey me I will send him upon you to torment you, and not only the citizens of this city shall hear of your shame, but all the four corners of the world as well. Take care, then, and do what I shall tell you."

Having heard this, the monk became afraid and promised to do everything the Saint had indicated. And immediately Andrew saw that from the east there came a mighty spirit in the form of lightning and touched that serpent, annihilating his power,. The serpent, not being able to bear this, turned into a raven and disappeared. The black Ethiopian perished likewise, and again the angel of God took power over the monk. Departing from the monk, the blessed one commanded him: "See to it that you say nothing about me, and I will begin to remember you in my prayers day and night, so that the Lord Jesus Christ might direct you on a good path."

After this the monk went and gave to the poor all his gold, and then he was even more glorified by God and men. Many brought him gold to distribute to the poor; but he ordered those who did this to distribute it with their own hands, saying: "What benefit is it to me to take care of someone else's dirt?"

At the time that he was living in this way which befits a monk, St. Andrew appeared to him with a joyful face in a vision; he indicated to him a bright tree in a field which had a blossom of a sweet fruit and said: "Give thanks to God, Father, that He has drawn you out of the jaws of the serpent and has made your soul like to a blossoming tree. Strive to convert this blossom into a sweet fruit. This splendid tree which you see is what your soul has acquired."

Coming to himself, the monk became yet stronger in spiritual activity and always gave thanks to God and to the God-pleaser Andrew, who had set him on the path of salvation.

8. He beholds Paradise and the Third Heaven.

Saint Andrew pleased God so much, and the Lord loved him so much, that once, like the Apostle Paul, he was raised up to the third heaven (II Cor. 12:2) and heard there unutterable words and beheld the beauties of the paradise which cannot be seen by mortals. He himself told this before his death to his faithful friend Nicephorus.

Once it happened that there was a harsh winter, and in Constantinople for two whole weeks there was a frightful freezing spell. All dwellings were covered with deep snow; because of the strong winds, trees were broken, and birds fell dead to the ground, finding no food for themselves. Then all the poor people and paupers were in great grief and difficulty; groaning, weeping, and shivering from cold, they were dying as a result of their deprivations, hunger and cold. Then blessed Andrew also, having neither refuge
nor clothing, experienced great grief as a result of the cold. When, desiring
for only a short time to cover himself under a roof, he would go to other
paupers, they chased him away with sticks like a dog, crying out: "Get out
of here, you dog!"

Having no refuge from the disaster, and despairing for his very life, he said to himself: "Blessed is  God! If I die from this frost, then let me at least die in love for Him—but God is mighty to give to me also patience to endure this frost."

Coming to a certain corner of the city, the Saint saw a dog lying there, and desiring to be warmed from him, he lay down with him. Seeing him, however, the dog got up and left. And Andrew said to himself: "O what a sinner you are, wretched one! Not only people, but even dogs despise
you!"

When, therefore, he was lying down, shivering from the fierce cold and wind, his body became frozen and green, and he thought that the time had come for his last breath; and he began to pray that the Lord might receive his soul with peace. And behold, suddenly he felt within himself an inward warmth, and opening his eyes, he saw a certain splendid youth whose face was shining like the sun. He held in his hand a branch covered with various flowers. The youth looked at Andrew and said: "Andrew, where are you?"

Andrew replied: "Right now I am in darkness and in the shadow of death" (Psalm 87:7).

Then the youth who had appeared lightly touched Andrew on the face with the flowering branch which he held in his hand and said: "Receive
life again in your body."

Saint Andrew breathed in the fragrance of those flowers. It penetrated into his heart, warmed and animated his whole body. Immediately after this he heard a voice saying: "Lead him, that he might repose here for a time, and then he will return."

With these words there came upon him a light sleep, and he beheld
unutterable revelations of God, which he related in detail later to the abovementioned Nicephorus in the following words:

"What it was that happened to me, I do not know. By God's will I remained for two weeks in a sweet vision, like a man who, having sweetly slept the whole night, awakens in the morning. I saw myself in a splendid and marvelous paradise, and being astonished at this in my soul, I reflected: 'What does this mean? I know that I live in Constantinople, but how I came here I do not know.' And I did not understand whether I was in the body or out of the body, God knows (II Cor. 12:2). But I saw myself adorned in a bright garment, as it were woven of lightning. On my head there lay a crown woven of many flowers. I was girded about with a royal belt and greatly rejoiced seeing that beauty. In mind and heart I was astonished at the unutterable beauty of the paradise of God, and I took sweet delight walking in it. There were a multitude of gardens there, filled with tall trees which, swaying in their tips, rejoiced my eyes, and from their branches there came forth a great fragrance. Some of those trees were constantly blossoming, others were adorned with golden leaves, and some had fruit of unutterable beauty. One cannot compare these trees in their beauty to any earthly tree, for they were not planted by the hand of man, but by God. In these gardens there were innumerable birds with wings golden, snow-white, and of various colors. They sat on the branches of the trees of paradise and sang so wondrously that from the sweetness of their singing I was beside myself; my heart was full of sweet delight, and I thought that their singing must be audible even in the very heights of heaven. Those splendid gardens stood in ranks, as one regiment stands beside another.

"When in the joy of my heart I walked in their midst, I saw a great river flowing in the middle of paradise which watered those splendid
gardens. On both shores of the river there grew vineyards with vines adorned with leaves and golden clusters of grapes. From all four sides there were quiet and fragrant winds, from whose blowing the gardens swayed, producing with their leaves a splendid rustling.

"After this a kind of fear fell upon me, and it seemed to me that I was standing at the peak of the firmament of heaven. Before me a youth was
walking with a face as bright as the sun, clothed in purple. I thought that this was the one who had struck me in the face with the blossoming branch. When I followed in his steps I saw a great and splendid Cross, in form like a rainbow, and around it stood fiery singers like flames and sang sweet hymns, glorifying the Lord Who had once been crucified on the Cross. The youth who was going before me, coming up to the Cross, kissed it and gave me a sign that I should also kiss the Cross. Falling down before the holy Cross with
fear and great joy, I fervently kissed it. In kissing it I was filled with unutterable spiritual sweetness, and I smelled a fragrance more powerful than that of paradise. Going past the Cross, I looked down and saw under me as it were the abyss of the sea. It seemed to me that I was walking in the air; frightened, I cried out to my guide: "Master, I am afraid lest I fall into the abyss."

"But turning to me, he said: 'Fear not, for we must ascend yet higher.'

"And he gave me his hand. When I seized it we were already above
the second firmament. There I saw wondrous men, their repose, and the joy of their feasting which cannot be communicated by the human tongue. After this we entered a kind of marvellous flame; it did not scorch us, but only illuminated us. I began to be afraid, and again my guide, turning around, gave me his hand and said: 'We must ascend yet higher.'

"And behold, after these words we ascended above the third heaven,
where I saw and heard a multitude of heavenly powers hymning and glorifying God. We went up to a curtain which shone like lightning, before which great and frightful youths were standing, in appearance like fiery flames; their faces shone brighter than the sun, and in their hands there were flaming weapons. Standing there with fear, I saw a numberless multitude of the heavenly
host. And the youth who was leading me said to me: 'When the curtain opens, you shall see the Master Christ. Bow down to the throne of His glory.'

"Hearing this, I rejoiced and trembled, for I was overcome by terror and unutterable joy. I stood and looked, waiting for the curtain to open. And behold, a flaming hand opened the curtain, and like the Prophet Isaiah I beheld my Lord, sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and above it stood the Seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-2). He was clothed in a purple garment; His face was most bright, and His eyes looked on me with love. Seeing this, I fell down before Him, bowing down to the most bright and fearful throne of His glory. The joy that overcame me on beholding His face cannot be expressed in words. Even now, remembering this vision, I am filled with unutterable joy. In trembling I lay there before my Master, being astonished at His mercy in allowing me, an impious one and a sinner, to stand before Him and behold His Divine beauty. Reflecting on my unworthiness, and beholding the greatness of my Master, I was filled with tender feeling and repeated to myself the words of the Prophet Isaiah: Woe is me! For I am a man and have unclean lips, and have been vouchsafed with my eyes to see my Lord (Isaiah 6:5).

"And I heard my most merciful Creator speaking to me with His
most sweet and pure lips three Divine words, which so sweetened my heart
and inflamed it with love that from spiritual warmth I entirely melted like wax, and there was fulfilled in me the word of David: My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels (Psalm 21:6). After this all the heavenly host sang a most wondrous and unutterable hymn, and then—I myself do not understand how—again I found myself walking in paradise. And I reflected on the fact that I had not seen the Most Holy Lady Theotokos. And behold, I saw a man, bright like a cloud, bearing a Cross and saying: 'Did you wish to see here the Queen Who is more bright than the heavenly powers? She is not here; She has gone away to the world which lies in great misfortune, to help people and to comfort the sorrowing. I would have shown you Her holy place, but now there is no time, for you must again return to the place from which you have come; thus the Master commands you.'

"When he had said this, it seemed to me as if I fell into a sweet sleep; then, awakening, I found myself in the same place where I had been before, lying in a corner. And I was astonished at where I had been during my vision, and what I had been vouchsafed to see. My heart was filled with unutterable joy, and I gave thanks to my Master Who had deigned to reveal to me such grace."

This vision Saint Andrew related before his death to his friend
Nicephorus, and he took an oath from him that he would not reveal it to
anyone until Saint Andrew had been freed from the bonds of the body.
Nicephorus fervently entreated the Saint to tell him at least one of those three words which the Lord had uttered to him; but the Saint did not desire to reveal this. Thus Saint Andrew, being transported like the Apostle Paul, saw what the corruptible eye has not seen, heard what the mortal ear has not heard, and took sweet delight in the revelation of such heavenly beauties
as have not entered into the heart of man (I Cor. 2:9).

9. The Vision of the Protection of the Mother of God.

Because, during the revelation to him of the heavenly mysteries, the Saint had not seen the Most Pure Lady Theotokos, he was vouchsafed to see Her on earth in the vision in the temple of Blachernae, when She, coming to help men, appeared in the air with the Prophets, Apostles, and choirs of angels, praying for men and covering them with Her precious omophorion. Seeing Her, the blessed one said to his disciple Epiphanius: "Do you see the Queen and Mistress of all praying?"

Epiphanius replied: "I see, holy Father, and I am terrified."

While St. Andrew and Epiphanius were beholding this wondrous
vision, the Mother of God prayed for a long time, watering with tears Her
Most Pure face. Finishing Her prayer, She went to the Altar-table and prayed here also for the people who were present. Then She took from Herself the great and fearful covering, the omophorion, which She was wearing on Her Most Pure head and which shone like lightning, and holding it with great solemnity with Her Most Pure hands, stretched it out over the standing people. These wondrous men beheld this covering stretched out over the people for a considerable time, and as long as the Most Holy Mother of God was there, the covering was visible. When She departed, it also became invisible, but the grace of this visitation remained with the people.1

___
1 This paragraph has been added from the Russian Lives of Saints, Oct. 1, p. 6. The feast of the Protection is celebrated with special solemnity by the Orthodox Church on October 1; the Icon of the Feast shows St. Andrew and Epiphanius beholding the vision. Epiphanius is generally assumed to be the noble youth who later became a monk with the name of Polyeuctus and was Patriarch of Constantinople, dying in 956
(commemorated on Feb. 5). St. Andrew died in the year 936, at the age of 66.


Leading such a wondrous life, Saint Andrew performed many miracles and endured many mockeries and blows, as is related in the separate
book of his life written by Nicephorus. He prophesied the future and converted to repentance many sinners. Then he was translated into the eternal mansions to which earlier he had been raised up for a time. And now, dwelling in them forever, he rejoices with the angels and in blessedness stands before God, One in Three Persons: Father and Son and Holy Spirit, to Whom may there be glory unto the ages. Amen.


KONTAKION, TONE 4

Having become a fool voluntarily,* thou didst utterly hate the
beauties of this world,* and thou didst mortify carnal wisdom* by hunger and thirst, by heat and bitter frost;* and never avoiding rain and snow and other hardships of weather,* thou didst purify thyself as gold in the furnace,* O blessed Andrew.