Why was Saint Andrew canonized as a Saint?

In the early centuries of the Church, there was no formal process of canonization as there is today. Thus, neither St. Andrew, nor other early saints, were formally canonized. Rather, the evidence of Andrew’s close collaboration with Christ as witnessed in Gospels, his own holiness of life and mission, especially the manner of his death for Christ, was recognized by the Church’s bishops. This was done by memorializing him in the liturgy, entering his name into the “canon” (the Eucharistic Prayer) of the Mass, honoring him with a feast day. As an Apostle, he has the additional honor of being mentioned in every Mass, since the Apostles are all named in the Roman Canon, or First Eucharistic Prayer, used by the Latin Church.