Hierarch
Hierarch Andrew of Crete
ок. 660 – 740
Also known as: Андрей Иерусалимский
Archbishop of Gortyna on Crete, theologian, preacher, and the greatest hymnographer, creator of the liturgical canon genre; author of the Great Penitential Canon.
Hierarch Andrew of Crete was born around 660 in Damascus. According to tradition, he was mute until the age of seven and received the gift of speech after receiving Holy Communion. Under Emperor Justinian II he was ordained Archbishop of Crete (the city of Gortyna). He became renowned as an outstanding hymnographer and creator of the liturgical canon genre; he authored the Great Penitential Canon, read in Orthodox churches during Great Lent. He died on 4 July 740 on the island of Lesbos, in the locality of Eresos, on his way from Crete to Constantinople.
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