Andrew of Crete

c.660-740. Theologian and hymnwriter. Born at Damascus, he became a monk at Jerusalem. Attending the Council of Constantinople in 680, he was ordained deacon of Hagia Sophia and became warden of the orphanage. Appointed archbishop of Gortyna, Crete, in 692, he participated in the Monothelite Synod of Constantinople in 712, but in 713 recanted his Monothelitism.* He was later involved in the Iconoclastic Controversy.* He helped to introduce in Constantinople the liturgy of Jerusalem, based upon the Rule of St. Sabas and favoring hymn-singing. He composed the “Great Canon,” containing 250 stanzas, and many other canons and hymns.