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Cross of St Andrew the Apostle insured to EUR 10 million

The relic will be delivered from Greece for an exhibition in St Petersburg, Moscow and Kiev

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

ATHENS, July 10 (Itar-Tass) - The Cross of St Andrew the Apostle due to travel to Russia for blessing is insured to the amount of 10 million euros, CEO of the St Andrew First-called Foundation’s branch in Greece Sergey Golovin told Itar-Tass.

“In fact the relic is priceless, but it should be insured,” Golovin explained.

Commenting on the idea of bringing the Cross of St Andrew to Russia, the official said the idea was being cherished for more than two years.

The CEO said a delegation led by Chairman of the Foundation’s Trustee Board Vladimir Yakunin would arrive in Patras on July 10 to accompany it to St Petersburg.

Golovin noted that the relic was expected to return to Patras on August 2. “Two years ago we brought Virgin Mary’s Belt from Mount Athos. Three million pilgrims came for blessing. Then we were straitened for time that is why we’re forced to extend the stay of the relic’s term,” the director said.

“We should return the relic to the St Andrew Church in Patras on August 2. But if there is need, we’ll pray and ask the Archbishop of Athens and the Russian patriarch to change the date,” he said.

According to the Legend, St Andrew the Apostle was martyrised on the Cross. A splendid cathedral was erected in honour of St Andrew the First-called in the Greek city of Patras where the apostle was crucified. St Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint of Rus, St Petersburg and Patras.

According to preliminary reports, the relic will be placed at the Kazan Cathedral in St Petersburg on July 11-15. Then it will be brought to Moscow on July 16-26. While leaving Russia the Cross will stay in Kiev. The relic’s stay coincides with the festivities marking the Day of Baptism of Rus with the participation of Local Orthodox Churches. The relic can be blessed in Minsk from July 29 to August 2.

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