OLD CATHEDRAL OF SAINT ANDREW
The history of the cathedral
Before the 5th century
The first Church built to honour Apostle Andrew was on the Acropolis, inside the castle of Patras and was originally dedicated to Saint Andrew, Saint Sophia and an unknown saint. According to a report by the English traveller Dodwell, the coastal church of Saint Andrew was built on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Demeter. This report is based on Pausanias, who mentions a temple of the ancient deity Demeter and an oracle spring located near the sea. The church’s floor, composed of rich marbles taken from some ancient structure, strongly suggests that it was indeed constructed on the ruins of Demeter’s temple. Moreover, the spring found on the side of the church aligns perfectly with Pausanias’ description, further identifying the site.
After the 5th century
The original church was built around the end of the 5th century AD in the shape of a basilica and was a magnificent structure. In this church, Basil I the Macedonian, the Byzantine emperor, prayed before ascending to the throne, and even the monk who lived in the Holy Church foresaw his future. The church was visible from the opposite shore of the Patras Gulf, as testified by the Bishop of Cremona, Liutprand, during his passage by ship through the Patras Gulf in the year 968 AD, returning from his journey to Constantinople.
In the 13th century
By the 13th century, the church had been transformed into a fortified monastery with corner towers for protection against pirate raids. In 1205, following the conclusion of the Fourth Crusade, the Franks conquered Achaia. Their intention was to install French monks in the church, and they elected Antelm of Cluny, from Burgundy, as the Archbishop of Patras—a decision ratified by Pope Innocent III. The renowned Byzantinologist, Dionysios Zakynthinos, also notes that the Church of Saint Andrew retained the appearance of a monastery during this period.
5 June 1429
On 5 June 1429, before this church, Constantine Palaiologos received the keys of the city. During the Palaiologos rule, the church was restored to the Orthodox.
1571
The battle between the people of Patras and the Turks on 9/10/1571, as well as subsequent earthquakes, left the church severely damaged.
1664 - 1714
In 1676, the traveller Weller described the Church as ruined, probably due to the great earthquake of 1664 that hit the area. However, the earthquake that shattered the narthexes of the church and tore down the castle towers was that of 1714.
1770 - 1780
In 1770, the unfortunate revolt of the Greeks with the help of the Russians (Orloff riots) and the subsequent looting by the Turco-Albanians 1 destroyed what was left of Saint Andrew basilica. According to Pouqueville 2 «The Turkish intransigence destroyed the basilica, which was a luxurious work of the generosity of Christian emperors and left the Greeks with no other place to pray but this fragile structure...»
Dodwell further notes 3 : «The Greeks have made large offers to the Turks for permission to rebuild it (the Church); but which they have not been able to obtain. They are never permitted to erect new churches, or to repair old ones, unless by special favour, and a large sum of money. The Greeks however, are always ready to contribute generously to whatever tends to the support of their religion. Saint Andrew’s church is held in great veneration; as it is supposed to contain the bones of the Apostle. On his anniversary day all the Greeks of Patra and the neighbouring villages resort to the ruins to pray. Candles are every night lighted in a shed, near which the body is thought to be buried.”»
1836 - 1843
Today’s church was built between the years 1836-1843. It is a basilica signed by the famous architect from Thessaloniki, Lysandros Kaftanzoglou. The full-body icons of the Old Testament Patriarchs on the ceiling are by Dem. K. Chatzislanis “Vyzantios”, who came to Patras in 1848 to teach painting.
In 1872, the tomb of the Apostle was reconstructed and in 1885 the templon was built. The iconography on the walls of the church, depicting the life and miracles of the Saint, are by Andreas Prionas, a prominent artist of Patras, as are the hierarchs in the apse of the church's Altar behind the altar table.
The icons of the Lord on the templon are the work of the important iconographer Ioannikios Kausokalyvitis. The Altar of the church features a mosaic of Saint Andrew and another one of Bishop Maximianus of Ravenna, who was ordained in Patras. Within the church, there is an icon of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, by Epaminondas Thomopoulos. The bust of the historian Stefanos Thomopoulos stands in the area facing the entrance to the old church of Saint Andrew.
The silver-plating of the icon on the Saint's tomb is the work of the artist Giormas.
References
- The term 'Turk-Albanians' refers to the military groups of Muslim Albanians (Albanais mahométans according to Pouqueville) who were used by the Ottomans to suppress the Orlov Revolt. Their initial arrival was followed by the descent of other bands into the Peloponnese, with the tragic consequences we all know: numerous massacres and looting. ↩
- Pouqueville, F.-C.-H.-L. Voyage de La GrèCe. Deuxième édition, revue, corrigrée et augmentée, Chez Firmin Didot, père et fils, 1827. ↩
- Dodwell, Edward, et al. A Classical and Topographical Tour through Greece : During the Years 1801, 1805, and 1806. , Illustrated by J. Walker et al., 1819 ↩
Photos
Gallery
Items list
