August 19: Saint Great Martyr Andreas the Soldier is celebratedtranslated

Today, August 19, the Church celebrates the memory of Saint Great Martyr Andrew the Soldier and the 2593 Christian soldiers who were martyred with him, as well as Saint Theophanous the young and miracle worker.

By LAMBROS K. SKONTZOU, Theologian - Professor

Saint Great Martyr Andrew the Soldier and with him 2593 Martyrs Soldiers A multitude of Saints and Martyrs of the ancient Church highlighted the Roman army. In fact, most of them hold the supreme title of Great Martyr, because as soldiers, they showed great bravery and courage in the untold martyrdoms they suffered from the pagans for their faith in Christ. One of them is Saint Andreas the Soldier and the 2593 martyred soldiers with him.

The heroic and glorious Saint Andrew lived in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. He served as a tribune (thousandary) officer in the Roman army during the reign of the impious, ferocious and fierce persecutor of Christianity, Maximianus Galerius (around 300). He had shown special valor and zeal in the army and had scored many victories against the barbarians. For this reason the emperor of…