HISTORY OF ST HELEN
St Helen (250AD – 330 AD; Feast Day: May 21st) the Equal to the Apostles is famous for her piety. She is the mother of St. Constantine the Great (who was the first to legalize Christianity). She is noted for her piety and in her later years St Helen made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Palestine where she found the True Cross.
DIRECTIONS
The Basilica of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli houses the relics of St Helen.
This Church is easy to find because it is located next to and to the right of the Altar of the Fatherland.
When you enter the Church, head to the back left corner.
You can’t miss the relics because there is an icon of St Helen and St. Constantine holding the True Cross. There is also a little shop that sells Orthodox Icons near by.
If you walk around to the back of the shrine, there is a hole where you can look into to see a glimpse of the holy relics.
The Church is open 9:00 – 17:30, but I do not remember if there is an entrance fee or not.
Subway Station near by: Colosseo
This is a map with the location of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli. The location has a red tab on it and is located NW of the Colosseum.
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