St. Andrew of Crete

St. Andrew of Crete, also known as Andrew of Jerusalem, was born at Damascus around 660. He entered monastic life in Jerusalem and was sent by Patriarch Theodore to represent the patriarchate at the Sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople in 680. He was subsequently ordained deacon and appointed warden of the orphanage in Constantinople. Under Emperor Philippikos Bardanes, he was consecrated Archbishop of Crete around 711 and briefly joined the pseudo-synod of 712 that favored Monothelitism, though he later returned to orthodoxy and wrote against the heresy. He died on the island of Hierissus near Mitylene around 732. Celebrated as one of the earliest writers of liturgical canons in Greek hymnody, his most famous composition is the Great Penitential Canon, alongside canons for the Nativity of the Theotokos, Lazarus Saturday, and Holy Week.