Russians Flock to See Saint Andrew’s Cross

The transfer of the Cross of St. Andrew from Patras to the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia is a very important event for Christians.

In its announcement, the Metropolis of Patras stated: ”Crowds of worshipers flocked to the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia, where the Cross is exhibited.”

This is the second day (12.07.2013) and there was a bright celebration of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in the homonymous church of Saint Petersburg. It is the feast of the city. The liturgy was attended by the local leaders and thousands of worshipers.

In this church Czars of the Romanov Dynasty along with many others have been buried. The remains of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas and his Saint family have been transferred there.

The cross is due to stay in Saint Petersburg until July 15 and then taken to Kiev in Ukraine, Minsk in Belarus and to the Russian capital, Moscow, before returning to Greece on August 2.

Saint Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in Patras, Greece. Because St. Andrew deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ had been crucified, he asked to be tied to a Crux decussata or an X shaped cross. Thus the Saltire became known as Saint Andrew’s cross.