Saint Andrew the New Martyr was born on October 30, 1882, in the village of Kitenovo, in the Klin district of the Moscow province. He grew up in a peasant family. After completing his schooling, he worked alongside his father until 1916, when he was called to the army. Andrew was an active member of the parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, where he served as a choir leader and member of the church council. In 1931, he joined a collective farm, where he took care of the horses.
In 1937, during the period of persecutions against the Church, the saint attracted the attention of the authorities. He was arrested on November 14, 1937, and was charged with anti-Soviet propaganda. During the interrogations, he refused to admit guilt, while confirming his active involvement in the church.
On November 21, 1937, the NKVD sentenced him to ten years of imprisonment. Saint Andrew died on June 11, 1938, in a forced labor camp and was buried in an unmarked grave.
