Saint of the Day – 26 February – St Andrew (9th Century) Bishop and Confessor of Florence. Also known as – Andrea.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Florence, St Andrew, Bishop and Confessor.”
Information regarding St Andrew’s life is scarce and fragmentary. According to tradition, he lived in the 9th Century and was the Bishop of Florence.
The first documented record dates to 18 December 871, when he is mentioned as an Imperial Envoy attended at Court with Margrave Adalbert. In 874, he obtained from Emperor Louis II the German, the privilege of immunity for the Bishop’s property. On 1 March 893, his Envoys are reported to have handed his niece to Bertha, Abbess of the Abbey of Sant’Andrea, to be educated and trained to succeed the Abbess.
This scant information does not allow us to reconstruct Saint Andrew’s life. However, it is possible to hypothesise that he was a man of great faith and profound culture. His presence in Florence is attested by several documents and by his Liturgical Feast celebrated today.
Saint Andrew is considered the protector of the City of Florence. His figure has been depicted in several works of art, including a 15th Century Altarpiece preserved in the Church of Sant’Andrea in Florence.
A Church dedicated to him existed as early as the 13th Century, located in the Square of the same name in the historic center of the City. This Church was replaced and today, the memory of Saint Andrew is preserved in the Cathedral of Florence. A Chapel is also dedicated to him in the Church of San Lorenzo, where the Relics of his predecessor, Saint Zenobius, are preserved.
AnaStpaul 