1. The Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ

2. St. Andrew Andrew was a brother of the apostle Peter and a follower of John the Baptist. Like his brother he was a fisherman. Andrew immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah and later was chosen by Him to be one of His Twelve Apostles. Andrew was present at the Last Supper, he witnessed the Ascension and he beheld the risen Jesus. Andrew shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost and he helped establish the Faith. Since he was crucified on an X-shaped cross (which is called "Saint Andrew's cross) it is one of his symbols. A symbol of two crossed fish has also been applied to Andrew, because he was formerly a fisherman.

3. St. Bartholomew Many scholars identify him with Nathaniel (John, i, 45-51; xxi, 2). The manner of his death, said to have occurred at Albanopolis in Armenia, is equally uncertain; according to some, he was beheaded, according to others, flayed alive and crucified, head downward, by order of Astyages, for having converted his brother, Polymius, King of Armenia. On account of this latter legend, he is often represented in art (e.g. in Michelangelo's Last Judgment) as flayed and holding in his hand his own skin. Because he was flayed alive with knives his apostolic symbol is three parallel knives.