Saint Andrew the Soldier and the two thousand five hundred and ninety-three Martyrs who were martyred with him
Date of celebration: 19/08
The soldiers were filled with fear because the enemy was numerous and had many victories to their credit. The leadership of the small body of soldiers had been assigned by the commander-in-chief Antiochus to a brave Christian officer, Andreas. Andreas therefore assured his soldiers that the triumph of victory will be on their side, if all with real faith invoke the almighty God of the Christians.
Because all the achievements of Christians are achieved “with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians, v. 4). With the power, that is, of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Indeed, Andrew’s words raised the morale of the soldiers, causing them to crush the enemy’s vast army. Antiochus publicly praised this feat, but when he learned that the soldiers had been converted by Andrew to Christianity, he sent 1000 soldiers to disarm them and send them home. Andreas, however, after a discussion, attracted them to Christianity.
Enraged at that time, Antiochus sent a special body with trusted officers and killed all the Christian soldiers. It was number two thousand five hundred and ninety three (2593)!
