Stratocles of Patras

Saint Stratocles, hieromartyr, was the first bishop of Patras after the founder of the Church of Patras, the holy Apostle Andrew. He is venerated as a hieromartyr. Our source gives no day of commemoration.

He was the brother of Aegeates, the Roman governor of Achaia, whom he replaced when the latter went to Rome to renew his authority. At that time the holy Apostle Andrew had come to Patras, and Stratocles was one of his first disciples, together with Aegeates' wife, Maximilla. Stratocles became a Christian when a servant of his suffered a severe epileptic fit and he took him to the apostle, who healed him.

When Aegeates returned from Rome he crucified the Apostle Andrew, who before dying ordained Stratocles bishop of Patras. Maximilla and Stratocles asked for and received the body of Andrew and buried it at the place of his martyrdom, where the church bearing his name stands today. Together they built the episcopal residence and many hermitages. They gave all their property to the poor and devoted themselves to spreading and establishing Christianity in Patras. The continual persecutions by the Romans forced them to take many precautions.

During his episcopate he is said to have built a metropolitan church in the present castle of the city, dedicated to the Eternal Wisdom and to the memory of the teaching of the Apostle Andrew. Probably the church was built on the ruins of the temple of Athena Panachaia or incorporated it.