Feast Day : July 4
Andrew of Crete was born about 660 in Damascus. He became a monk at Mar Saba and served later at the Holy Sepulchre. Around 685, he was ordained a deacon at Hagia Sophia. He ran a refuge for orphans, the elderly and others. In 692 he became archbishop of Gortyna on Crete, where he remained for the rest of his life. Andrew of Crete had substantial oratorical skills, as evidenced in his homilies and panegyrics to the saints. He is credited with authoring the “Great Canon” prayed by the Orthodox during Lent.