Patras, Greece, January 21, 2025
Photo: Romfea
The Orthodox Church of Greece festively celebrated on Sunday the 45th anniversary of the return of one of its greatest relics—the Cross on which St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle was crucified.
The joyous occasion was celebrated by two hierarchs and a host of clerics and faithful.
The return of the cross
All the people of Patras and beyond, led by the late Metropolitan Nikodimos of Patras and other local authorities, welcomed the grace-flowing Cross of the Apostle Andrew on January 19, 1980. The precious relic was being returned from the city of Marseille, France, and the Church of St. Victor, where it had been taken by the papal bishop Antelmos in 1205, who had occupied the throne of Patras.
In the Orthodox Metropolis of France, the late Archpriest Panagiotis Simigiatos from Patras served as General Archepiscopal Vicar. The priest learned from reliable sources that the Cross of the Apostle Andrew was in Marseille, at the Church of St. Victor.
Photo: Romfea
In cooperation with the Metropolis of Patras and the Roman Catholic Church, with the help of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the necessary actions were taken and the Cross of St. Andrew was returned to Patras in 1980.
The Cross, transported in a wooden case, was initially placed in an iron case and embedded in the wall of the Church of the Apostle Andrew, behind the proskynitarion where the precious head of the First-Called Apostle is kept and venerated.
Later, under the current Metropolitan of Patras Chrysostomos, the Cross was placed in a wooden case and covered with silver-gold plating, adorned with scenes from the life of the Apostle Andrew, and was placed in the northern aisle of the church, which was dedicated to the Cross of the Apostle Andrew and was decorated, like the rest of the church, with scenes from his life, miracles, and martyrdom.
This year’s celebrations
Photo: Romfea
The celebration of the Cross’ return began on Saturday, January 18, when Met. Chrysostomos and Bishop Chrysanthos of Kernitsa served Hierarchical Vespers in the Church of St. Andrew with priests and deacons from Patras and beyond.
The Cross of St. Andrew was placed on a special platform in the middle of the church, for the veneration of the faithful. The Metropolitan offered a homily on the Apostle’s martyrdom.
The next morning, Met. Chrysostomos celebrated Orthros and Liturgy in a crowded church. In his homily, he recounted the history of the Cross of St. Andrew, its journey to the west, its discovery after many centuries, and its return to the city of his martyrdom.
He also spoke about the duty of the people of Patras toward the Apostle Andrew, to preserve his sacred teaching about the Trinitarian God, about our holy Church as the ark of salvation through the Holy Mysteries, and about the value of men as God’s creation, but also about the need to defend the Truth that the Apostle Andrew handed down to us, even to the point of bloodshed if necessary.
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