St. Andrew of Crete

Andrew was born in Damascus and could not speak until he received Holy Communion at seven. He became a monk in Jerusalem and later Archbishop of Crete. He wrote many hymns, above all the Great Canon of repentance, which is read in the first week of Lent and again on Thursday of the fifth week: “Where shall I begin to weep for the deeds of my wretched life?”

• Feast: July 4 (New Calendar)
• Lived: c. 660–740
• Place: Gortyna, Crete