25 DAYS ST. ANDREW CHRISTMAS NOVENA

(30th November - 24th December)

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires,

(Mention your intentions here)

through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

It is piously believed that whoever recites the St. Andrew Christmas novena prayer FIFTEEN times each day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) until Christmas Eve will obtain the favor requested. 

With a few exceptions, we pray novenas for nine days. The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is one such exception – we pray this novena for 25 days, overlapping with much of the liturgical season of Advent. 

St. Andrew was the very first disciple called by Our Lord—that is why, in the Orthodox tradition, he is known by the name Πρωτóκλητος, which means "First-Called." Andrew is the one who convinced his brother, Simon, to become Jesus' disciple. "We have found the Messiah!" Andrew said to him. Now we know Simon as Peter, the first pope.

In keeping with his role as "the first-called," the feast of St. Andrew is found at the beginning of our new liturgical year. But the most popular St. Andrew's feast day tradition is for everyone. This tradition is a Christmas novena that begins on St. Andrew's feast day.