As the First-Called, Andrew was the first of the Apostles to follow Christ, and he later brought his own brother, the holy Apostle Peter, to Christ (John 1:35-42).
“St. Andrew the Apostle was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross in Patras, near Corinth. The X-shaped cross caused excruciating pain, far greater than the traditional cross. Due to the fact that the condemned man was crucified with his legs spread, he could not support his body on them, and practically all the weight of his body hung on the nailed hands, thus enduring terrible torments.”
Today, the Cross of St. Andrew is kept next to the head of St. Andrew in the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle in the Greek city of Patras.
We sing with the Church:
Andrew, first-called of the Apostles and brother of the foremost disciple, entreat the Master of all to grant peace to the world and to our souls great mercy. (Troparion, tone 4)