In 1988, the reconstruction of the University General Hospital of Patras was completed, which now constitutes a point of reference for the whole of southwestern Greece and beyond.
Immediately, the need arose for the construction of a Sacred Temple for the celebration of the liturgical services of our Church, as well as for participation in the Holy Mysteries by the staff and the patients.
The Sacred Temple is the center of the life of all Christians. It is like a loving Mother who embraces her children, cares for them, and strengthens them, offering richly her saving grace.
This great truth was perceived in time by a distinguished and pious lady of Patras, who took upon herself the entire burden of the expenses for the construction of a Sacred Temple — a true ornament of the Hospital of Rio.
Mrs. Stavroula Toula envisioned and realized a wondrous work. Her valuable and unseen collaborators contributed greatly to the achievement of this sacred purpose.
The consecration of the Sacred Temple took place on June 10, 1992, by the former Metropolitan of Patras, Nikodemos.
From that time, this Sacred Temple became a dwelling place and throne of the Queen of Heaven, the Lady of the angels and the Mother of God and of men.
“Panagia the Helper” (Panagia Voithia) now constitutes the sacred pride not only of the hospital but also of the entire region of Patras.
Inside the Sacred Temple is found the impressive icon of the Panagia, a faithful copy of the wonderworking icon of Panagia the Helper located in the homonymous Monastery of Chios, and it was painted by the modest and ascetic nun Vryaini, the abbess.
Her presence, beside the patients and the workers, is living, intense, and moving.
She is the Protectress and helper of all the medical, nursing, and other staff of the hospital institution.
She covers with her maternal embrace all those who run to her grace.
She is celebrated festally on Thomas Monday with full ecclesiastical splendor, with the participation of all those working in various ways in the hospital.
Beside her stands Saint Anthimos of Chios (see February 15), who was also the founder of the above-mentioned Sacred Monastery. His boundless love and reverence for the Mother of God was manifested through his sacrificial offering to the suffering fellow human being, culminating especially in his ministry at the Leper Hospital of Chios, without reckoning dangers, labors, and demonic adversities and temptations.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Let us, the multitude of monastics, hymn in songs our protectress of the city and guardian of the world; for as a source of all kinds of miracles she has been given to us, and as a treasure is the icon of the Theotokos; therefore let us all cry out to her: rejoice, hope of those who honor you; rejoice, our boast; rejoice, you who are by grace and by name “Helper.”
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
Immediately, the need arose for the construction of a Sacred Temple for the celebration of the liturgical services of our Church, as well as for participation in the Holy Mysteries by the staff and the patients.
The Sacred Temple is the center of the life of all Christians. It is like a loving Mother who embraces her children, cares for them, and strengthens them, offering richly her saving grace.
This great truth was perceived in time by a distinguished and pious lady of Patras, who took upon herself the entire burden of the expenses for the construction of a Sacred Temple — a true ornament of the Hospital of Rio.
Mrs. Stavroula Toula envisioned and realized a wondrous work. Her valuable and unseen collaborators contributed greatly to the achievement of this sacred purpose.
The consecration of the Sacred Temple took place on June 10, 1992, by the former Metropolitan of Patras, Nikodemos.
From that time, this Sacred Temple became a dwelling place and throne of the Queen of Heaven, the Lady of the angels and the Mother of God and of men.
“Panagia the Helper” (Panagia Voithia) now constitutes the sacred pride not only of the hospital but also of the entire region of Patras.
Inside the Sacred Temple is found the impressive icon of the Panagia, a faithful copy of the wonderworking icon of Panagia the Helper located in the homonymous Monastery of Chios, and it was painted by the modest and ascetic nun Vryaini, the abbess.
Her presence, beside the patients and the workers, is living, intense, and moving.
She is the Protectress and helper of all the medical, nursing, and other staff of the hospital institution.
She covers with her maternal embrace all those who run to her grace.
She is celebrated festally on Thomas Monday with full ecclesiastical splendor, with the participation of all those working in various ways in the hospital.
Beside her stands Saint Anthimos of Chios (see February 15), who was also the founder of the above-mentioned Sacred Monastery. His boundless love and reverence for the Mother of God was manifested through his sacrificial offering to the suffering fellow human being, culminating especially in his ministry at the Leper Hospital of Chios, without reckoning dangers, labors, and demonic adversities and temptations.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Let us, the multitude of monastics, hymn in songs our protectress of the city and guardian of the world; for as a source of all kinds of miracles she has been given to us, and as a treasure is the icon of the Theotokos; therefore let us all cry out to her: rejoice, hope of those who honor you; rejoice, our boast; rejoice, you who are by grace and by name “Helper.”
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
