ANDREW OF CRETE, ST.

(Andrew Hierosolymites, Andrew of Jerusalem, c. 660, Damascus – c. 740, Mytilene, Crete)

Byzantinehymnographerand homilist, he is the first identified who wrote in the Syriacmodalsystem and the first known composer ofkanons, including the Great Kanon, consisting of 250 strophes, still sung during Lent. (at)