Passio sancti Andreae apostoli
Standard abbreviation: Pass. Andr.
Other titles: Conversante et docente
Clavis numbers: ECCA 236; CANT 231
Category: Apocryphal Acts
Related literature: Acts of Andrew, Acts of Andrew (Latin), Epistle of the Presbyters and Deacons of Achaea, Miracles of Andrew by Gregory of Tours
Compiled by: Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Passion of Andrew.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/passion-of-andrew/.
Created November 2021. Current as of January 2024.
1. SUMMARY
Pass. Andr. is a short account in Latin of the martyrdom of Andrew. It is usually found appended to the Miracles of Andrew by Gregory of Tours in the Apostolic Histories collection (as chs. 38–42). Gregory did not include a full account of Andrew’s final days, directing readers to a “Passion.” Many scholars believe this is the text that Gregory intended. The text has similarities to Ep. Achaea but it may preserve elements taken directly from the Acts of Andrew.
The text begins with Andrew in Achaea, preaching and teaching. He is arrested by the proconsul Aegeates and is asked if he is the man who has been destroying temples and persuading people to join a superstitious sect. Andrew answers with a proclamation of faith in Jesus. Aegeates sends him away to prison. While there a multitude comes to hear Andrew preach; he warns them that he will suffer but Jesus told him that if he perseveres to the end he will be saved. After speaking all night, Andrew is brought before Aegeates again. In a brief dialogue, Aegeates tries in vain to convince Andrew to abandon Jesus’ teachings.
Andrew is beaten and sent to be crucified. Andrew greets the cross and asks it to accept him. He is tied to the cross, rather than nailed, to prolong his suffering. A crowd of 20,000 people assemble at the cross, including the proconsul’s brother Stratocles. Andrew preaches to them all day and night. Seeing his piety, the people come to Aegeates and beg him to take Andrew down. Fearing a riot, Aegeates comes to free Andrew, but the apostles refuses, calls out to Jesus to receive him, and dies.
Maximilla, identified here as a “senator’s wife” (not Aegeates’ wife) who lives in chastity, takes Andrew’s body, prepares it for burial, and places it in a tomb. Aegeates is attacked in the night by a devil and falls from a high place. Stratocles refuses any inheritance from him. The text ends with the date of Andrew’s martyrdom: 30 November.
Named Historical Figures and Characters: Aegeates (proconsul), Andrew (apostle), Jesus Christ, Maximilla (wife of Aegeates), Stratocles.
Geographical Locations: Achaea.
2. RESOURCES
2.1 Art and Iconography
Andrew Triptych, Trier Cathedral Treasury: twelfth-century triptych with images of Andrew before Aegeates and the crucifixion of Andrew.
2.2 Web Sites and Other Online Resources
“Two Anonymous Latin Martyrdoms of Andrew.” The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity (summary by David Lambert, with discussion and bibliography).
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Latin (BHL 429)
Bonnet’s edition is based on five manuscripts:
P Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 18298, fols. 24v–27v (9th/10th cent.) ~ Pass. Andr. appears alone here; Gallica
W Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek Weissenburg, 48 (10th cent.) ~ Pass. Andr. follows Latin Acts of Andrew
B Bamberg, Staatsbibliothek, Q.VI.59 (11th cent.)
Q Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 12604, fols. 19r–34v (12th cent.) ~ Pass. Andr. follows Latin Acts of Andrew
R Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 12603, fols. 10r–11r (12th cent.) ~ Pass. Andr. follows Latin Acts of Andrew
Additional manuscripts:
Brussels, Bibliothèque Royale, 64 (3129), fols. 9r–11v (12th cent.) ~ uncertain identification; perhaps Ep. Achaea
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 5287 ~ Gallica
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 5293 ~ Gallica
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 5308 ~ Gallica
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 5365 ~ Gallica
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 5327, fols. 205v, 204, 203v (10th cent.) ~ contains Pass. Andr. only (?)
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 13760, fols. 46r–55v (12th cent.)
Rheims, Bibliothèque municipale, 1395, fols. 149v–155v (ca. 850, Rheims)
Rome, Biblioteca Vallicelliana, XI 1 (12th cent.)
Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. lat. 5771, fols. 6v–8v (9th/10th cent.)
Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. lat. 9499, fols. 175r–176r (14th/15th cent.)
Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek Weissenburg, 48, fols. 57v–60r (9th cent.)
Bonnet, Maximilien. “Passio Sancti Andreae Apostoli.” AnBoll 13 (1894): 373–78 (edition based on P, W, B, Q, and R).
See also the manuscripts and editions for the Latin Acts of Andrew.
3.2 Modern Translations
See the translations for the Latin Acts of Andrew.
3.3 General Works
Flamion, Joseph. Les Actes apocryphes de l’apôtre André: Les Actes d’André et de Matthias, de Pierre et d’André et les textes apparentés. Leuven: Bureau du recueil, 1911 (pp. 43–50).
Lanzillota, Fernando Lautero Roig. “The Apocryphal Acts of Andrew: A New Approach to the Character, Thought, and Meaning of the Primitive Text.” PhD. diss, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 2004 (see pp. 74–75, 80–81, 110–120).
Prieur, Jean-Marc. Acta Andreae. 2 vols. CCSA 5–6. Turnhout: Brepols, 1989 (see vol. 1, p. 17).