Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called in the Greek city of Patras is the largest temple in Greece and the third largest in the Balkans (after the Cathedral of St. Sava in Belgrade and the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Sofia). Saint Andrew the First-Called is considered the patron saint of the city of Patras. It was here that the apostle spent the last years of his life and was martyred. The cathedral was built on the site of the alleged crucifixion of the Apostle Andrew.
The construction of the cathedral began in 1908 according to the project and under the direct supervision of the famous Greek architect Anastasios Metaxas. Since 1937, after the death of Metaxas, the work was headed by Georgios Nomikos. The construction of the cathedral lasted 66 years and in 1974, finally, its grand opening took place.
The grandiose building is made in the Byzantine style and impresses with its grandeur. The main dome of the temple is crowned with a five-meter gilded cross. Its perimeter is surrounded by twelve small domes with crosses, which symbolize Jesus and the twelve apostles. The interior of the temple is also impressive. Here you will see stunningly beautiful frescoes, magnificent mosaics and a huge carved wood chandelier. In the side-altar to the right of the altar on the marble throne, the main relics of the cathedral are kept in the silver ark - the relics and part of the venerable head of the Apostle Andrew. Here, behind the throne, there is a reliquary made in the form of a "St. Andrew's cross", with particles of an ancient cross, on which the Apostle Andrew was actually crucified. The cathedral covers an area of about 2000 sq. M. and accommodates approximately 5,500 people.
Next to the cathedral is the old Church of St. Andrew, built in the first half of the 19th century on the foundations of the early Christian Basilica of St. Andrew, designed by the famous architect Lissanros Kaftanzoglu.
Today the Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called is one of the most revered shrines of the Christian world, which is visited annually by a huge number of pilgrims from all over the world.
