Venerable Martyr Andrew of Crete

Andrew was a monk from Crete who came to Constantinople under Emperor Constantine V, when the veneration of icons was being suppressed. His Life tells that he went to the emperor himself and rebuked him for persecuting the venerators of icons, telling him he would do better to command his armies.

He was beaten, stoned and imprisoned, and finally dragged by his feet through the city to the place of execution. On the way, through the market, a fishmonger struck at his leg with a knife, and he died of the wound, in 767. His body was thrown among those of executed criminals and later buried by Christians.