Saint Andrew of Crete

Saint Andrew of Crete (born c. 660, Damascus, Syria—died July 4, 740; feast day July 4) was the archbishop of Gortyna, Crete, regarded by the Greek Church as one of its greatest hymn writers. From his monastery in Jerusalem he was sent to Constantinople (modern Istanbul), where he became deacon of the Hagia Sophia. During the reign of the Byzantine emperor Philippicus Bardanes he was made archbishop of Gortyna and took part in the Synod...