Every year in the city of Patras, the Sacred Metropolis celebrates in the month of November a series of festive events known as the "Protokleteia", which refers to the Apostle Andrew, who was the first-called (protokletos) disciple of the Lord. This is because the city of Patras is where the Apostle Andrew suffered martyrdom by crucifixion, and he remains the patron saint of the city. In Patras one can find his majestic temple, his tomb and sacred skull, which was returned to Patras from the Vatican on September 26, 1964. November is therefore the month of Saint Andrew in Patras, whose feast day is on November 30th.
To mark Protokleteia 2023, the Athonite Monastery of Vatopaidi has gifted the city of Patras with yet another unique relic: a copy of the Cross of Emperor Constantine the Great which contains a portion of the True Cross. The particle of the Sacred Wood was cut by Archimandrite Ephraim of Vatopaidi, and the sacred object was delivered by him personally on November 13th 2023 to be handed over to Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras. The sacred relic will be displayed in the Cathedral of the Apostle Andrew to be venerated by the faithful.
To mark Protokleteia 2023, the Athonite Monastery of Vatopaidi has gifted the city of Patras with yet another unique relic: a copy of the Cross of Emperor Constantine the Great which contains a portion of the True Cross. The particle of the Sacred Wood was cut by Archimandrite Ephraim of Vatopaidi, and the sacred object was delivered by him personally on November 13th 2023 to be handed over to Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras. The sacred relic will be displayed in the Cathedral of the Apostle Andrew to be venerated by the faithful.
