The Holy Relics of Saint Helen in Greece for the first time since 1211
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
In a moving atmosphere, thousands of believers welcomed on Sunday in Saint (Agia) Barbara the Holy Relics of Saint (Agia) Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great, from Venice to Athens along with a piece of the Holy Cross. They were brought from the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice were they are kept.
It is the first time the Holy Relic came out of Venice, and so thousands of believers had gathered early to watch his reception and the events that followed.
Their journey begun with a the Holy Relics being accompanied by priests with candles, Byzantine flags and the banner of Venice under the sounds of a Venetian band in the canals, accompanied by Cretan and Pontian youths in traditional garb.
They were received in accordance with the Head of State diplomatic protocol by Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos and the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, in the presence of representatives of the government, the Parliament, the Armed Forces and the Diplomatic Corps, while the Minister of National Defense Panos Kammenos attended their reception at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport where young Cretans and Pontians dressed in traditional uniforms descended from the plane and escorted the sacred relics at the church of Agia Barbara.
The Holy Relics were taken from Constantinople in 1211 AD to Venice, almost 1700 years ago.
They were brought to Athens on the occasion of the completion of the 80th anniversary of the work of the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece. The sacred relic will be exhibited at the sacred temple of Agia BarBara in the Athenian municipality until 15 June.
Agia Eleni, is known for finding the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and for her enormous charity work. The Greek people have associated many traditions with her in Asia Minor, Cyprus, Rhodes, Kalymnos, Tilos, Kastelorizo, in Naxos, Paros.
The protector of the Christians of St. Helena died in 328 AD at the age of 80 years.
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