Holy Relics of Agia Eleni arrive in Greece for first time since 1211

Holy Relics of Agia Eleni arrive in Greece for first time since 1211

Thousands of worshippers on Sunday welcomed the Holy Relics of Agia Eleni (mother of Constantine the Great) to the Parish of Agia Varvara in Athens. Along with a piece of the Holy Cross, they arrived from Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice, where they currently reside.

Thousands of Athenians and worshippers from all over Greece gathered to witness this special reception, which was attended by the Archbishop of Athens, numerous priests, President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, as well as other representatives of the government, parliament and the Armed Forces.

The Holy Relics were taken from Constantinople in 1211 AD to Venice during the Crusades, almost 1700 years ago and brought to Athens for the first time upon the initiative of the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece, following the approval from the Vatican for the temporary visit.

The Holy Relic will remain at the sacred Church of Agia Varvara in Egaleo for pilgrimage until the 15^th of June and can be viewed from morning till 11pm at night.

Agia Eleni is known for her enormous charity work and for being a protector of Christians. In her final years, it is said she made a religious tour of Syria, Palestine and Jerusalem, during which she allegedly discovered the Holy Cross.