Was initially founded in the first Christian centuries? Yes. The Agios Andreas I. N. is a significant landmark. It connects to Athens’ history and Agia Filothei.
Agios Andreas is within the Athens Archdiocese courtyard. It stands on Agias Filotheis street. This church is linked to the city’s history. It relates to Agia Filothei’s activities during Turkish occupation.
Around 1550, Agios Andreas was renovated. It became the monastery’s catholicon. Agia Filothei from the Benizelos family founded it. After becoming a young widow, she established the monastery. It was known as the “Parthenon”. Poor young women found refuge there. They trained in art without nun obligations.
Besides cells, it housed a nursing home, an orphanage, and a hospital. The saint’s underground hermitage survived until 1821. Her loom was preserved under the present church floor. In 1834, the capital moved to Athens. The area became barracks under state jurisdiction. Metropolitan Germanos Kalligas built the archiepiscopal mansion and church in the late 19th century. Initially, the monastery was Π-shaped with the basilica of Agios Andreas at its center. The present church is a three-aisle basilica. Its interior follows the Byzantine four-columned style with a dome supported by four columns. Tassos Margaritov restored the paintings in 1999. The Byzantine Museum of Athens holds older church decorations. Emmanuel Tzanes created the screen icons in 1664. Parts of the wall paintings also survive. The old monastery well is revealed and maintained on the mansion’s ground floor.
Today, the chapel serves as an oratory for the Archdiocese staff. It also serves students of the Pastoral Training Foundation. Every Sunday morning, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated in English at 9:30 am. Daily Vespers service is held at 6:00 pm. The church celebrates on November 30th.
Orthodox tradition calls St. Andrew the Apostle Prōtoklētos or the First-called. He was a Christian Apostle and Saint Peter’s elder brother. “Andrew” means manly and brave in Greek. It was a common name among Jews, Christians, and Hellenized Judeans. He was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He and Peter were fishermen. Jesus called them to be his disciples. He said he would make them “fishers of men”. They lived in the same Capernaum house at Jesus’ public life beginning. Andrew was present at important occasions. He was one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Andrew told Jesus about the boy with loaves and fishes. Philip told Andrew first about Greeks seeking Jesus. Andrew attended the Last Supper. He was martyred by crucifixion in Patras, Greece.
Agios Andreas stands as a testament to faith. It embodies Athens’ rich religious history. Remember St. Andrew’s story. Consider Agia Filothei’s dedication.