Roman military commander during the reign of the emperor Diocletian (284-305). He received the title of Stratelates (in Greek ‘commander-general’) from the governor Antiochus. He preached Jesus Christ and won battles with his name. He and his soldiers were seized and tortured but the emperor did not dare to execute the celebrated commander. Set free, he together with his army took the baptism. He was told not to fear or to resist the coming death so Andrew and his soldiers were beheaded in the passes of Mount Tauros by the army, specially sent by the emperor. On the spot of the death of 2593 martyrs a spring appeared. Feast day: 19 (22) August.
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