Ernst Christoph Suttner, Die Reliquien des hl. Apostels Andreas und ihre Verehrung in Patras, Konstantinopel, Amalfi und Rom
The Relics of Saint Apostle Andrew and his worship at Patras, Constantinople, Amalfi and Rome
The author presents, relying on scientific documentation and proper theological interpretation, several considerations regarding the transportation of the relics of Saint Apostle Andrew and their worship in Patras (Greece), Constantinople, Amalfi (Italy), and Rome. As is known, St. Andrew was one of the Twelve Apostles, brother of Saint Peter, crucified on an X-shaped cross. According to a later tradition, St. Andrew also preached the Gospel in Scytia Minor (i.e. Dobrogea). After discussing the cult of St. Andrew at Patras and the worship of the saint’s relics in the former capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople, the author provides information regarding the context and subtext of their transportation to Amalfi, as well as the transportation of St. Andrew’s head in Rome, finally approaching the significance of the procession of the return of St. Andrew’s head in Patras.
Keywords: theology, lives of the saints, St. Andrew, worship, relics, relics’ history and transportation, significance of processions
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