Saint Andrew of Patras

Agios Andreas (Greek Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Ανδρέα Πάτρα ) is a neo-Byzantine church in Patras harbor at about the height of the lighthouse of Patras.

History

In Patras the local patron Andreas successively two churches were consecrated. The first was built in the years 1836-1843 at the point where Andreas according to tradition martyred. The architect of the neo-classical building was Lysander Kaftanzoglou, the ceiling paintings created Dimitris Hatziaslanis ( Byzantios ). Next to the church is a source allegedly wundertätigem water, is worshiped at the well of St. Andrew, but was significant in antiquity as an oracle source of the Demeter sanctuary in Patras.

The second church of St. Andrew in Patras, which is in the immediate vicinity of the first, was donated in 1908 by King George I and inaugurated in 1974. It is one of the largest Greek Orthodox church buildings on the continent. The plans were designed by the architect Anastasios Metaxas, but died in 1937. Georgios Nomikos sat by Metaxas ' death continued its work.

The dome of the church is about 50 meters high. She wears a five -meter high golden cross. Twelve smaller crosses surrounding this on the side domes. They symbolize Jesus and the apostles.

The dome picture shows Jesus surrounded by his twelve apostles. The Patron Andreas is seen on a mosaic. On the floor elements of creation such as plants, birds, fish and mammals are shown.

Agios Andreas accommodate 5500 people.

Relics

Patras is home to a skull relic of St. Andrew, which had been spent in the middle of the 4th century by Constantine Opel, from where she was taken after the Franks invasion of Italy. In 1964, the relic came back to Patras. It is kept in a marble grave.

Further you can enjoy the great Christian sanctuary, the cross on which the Apostle Andrew the Erstgerufene, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ who was crucified upside down. This cross is a witness to the agonizing end of the first of the apostles. The cross itself was heavily damaged during the years of the French Revolution - it was thrown into the fire. However, the sanctuary could be obtained up to the present time.

Pictures

Peter, Andrew and Jesus

Mother of God

Floor detail

Belfry

Overlooking the forecourt to the old church

Source