Chapel of Saint Helena, Jerusalem

The Chapel of Saint Helena
Basic information
Location	Jerusalem
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Architectural description
Architectural type	Crusader
Completed	12th century

The Chapel of Saint Helena is a 12th-century Armenian church in the lower level of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

In the south east of the chapel there is a chair which was reputed to be a seat that was sat in by Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine when she was looking for the True Cross.^[1] There are two apses in the church, one dedicated to Saint Helena and one to the penitent thief on the cross. The chapel is modestly adorned in memory of Saint Helena's simplicity.

The chronicler William of Tyre reports on the renovation of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the mid-12th century. The crusaders investigated the eastern ruins on the site, occasionally excavating through the rubble, and while attempting to reach the cistern where the True Cross was believed to have been found, they discovered part of the original ground level of Hadrian's temple enclosure; they decided to transform this space into a chapel dedicated to Helena, widening their original excavation tunnel into a proper staircase.

During 1973–1978 restoration works and excavations were made on the Holy Sepulchre To the east of the Chapel of St. Helena, the excavators discovered a void containing a 2nd-century drawing of a Roman ship,^[2] two low walls which supported the platform of Hadrian's 2nd-century temple, and a higher 4th century wall built to support Constantine's basilica;^[3][4] the Armenian authorities have recently converted this archaeological space into the Chapel of Saint Vartan, and created an artificial walkway over the quarry on the north of the chapel, so that the new Chapel could be accessed (by permission) from the Chapel of St. Helena.

The large decorative floor mosaic is modern, from the 20th century, by the Israeli artist Have Yofe. Part of it depicts churches in historical Armenia. Despite the images being obviously modern in their representational style, some guides tell visitors the mosaic is antique. ^[5]

Gallery

Officers and sailors on a tour in the chapel of St. Helen, Jerusalem. Chromolithograph by H. Clerget and J. Gaildrau after Francois Edmond Pâris, 1862.

• 
  The altar and the 20th-century floor mosaic
• 
  Mosaic closeup
• 
  Another view of the chapel
• 
  drawing of a ship and inscription "DOMINE IVIMVS"

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. Helena's Chapel.

Historic Armenian monasteries and churches
Armenia	Aghjots Vank Akhtala Arakelots of Kirants Areni Artavazik Aruchavank Arshakid Mausoleum Bgheno-Noravank Byurakan Ddmashen Dvin Etchmiadzin Garnahovit Gayane Geghard Gharghavank Gladzor Gndevank Goshavank Haghartsin Haghpat Harichavank Havuts Tar Hayravank Hnevank Horomayri Hovhannavank Hripsime Jukhtak Vank Karbi Karmravor Kasagh Katoghike Katoghike Tsiranavor of Avan Kecharis Khor Virap Kirants Kobayr Kotavank Kristapori Vank Lmbatavank Makaravank Makenyats Vank Makravank Marmashen Mashtots Hayrapet Mastara Matosavank Neghutsi Vank Nor Varagavank Noratus Noravank Odzun Oshakan Pemzashen Ptghavank Saghmosavank Saint Paul and Peter Saint Gevork of Mughni Samsoni Sanahin Sevanavank Shoghakat Spitakavor of Ashtarak Spitakavor of Vayots Dzor Surp Astvatsatsin of Vagharshapat Surp Hakob of Kanaker Surp Mariane of Ashtarak Surp Sarkis of Ashtarak Talin Tanahat Targmanchats Vank Tatev Tatevi Anapat Tegher Tsakhats Kar Tsiranavor of Ashtarak Tsovinar Ushi Vahanavank Vahramashen Vanevan Vorotnavank Voskepar Voskevaz Yeghipatrush Yeghvard Yererouk Zoravor Zvartnots
Nagorno-Karabakh	Amaras Dadivank Gandzasar Gtichavank Katarovank Tsitsernavank Yeghishe Arakyal Yerits Mankants
Azerbaijan	Saint Sarkis Monastery of Gag Targmanchats List of Armenian churches in Azerbaijan
Cyprus	Surp Magar Monastery Notre Dame de Tyre Sourp Asdvadzadzin Sourp Boghos chapel Sourp Haroutiun Chapel Sourp Amenapergitch Sourp Stepanos Sourp Kevork Church Ganchvor monastery
Georgia	Arants Vank Betlehemi Chugureti Ejmiatsnetsots Surp Gevork S. Grigor Lusavorich Jigrasheni Avetyats Kamoyants Karapet Karapi Karmir Avetaran Khojivank Krtsanits Tsiranavor (Geghardavank) Mughni Norashen Surp Nshan Saint Sarkis Surp Stepanos Zrkinyants
Iran	Saint Stepanos Monastery Saint Thaddeus Monastery Surp Asdvadsadsin Church of Darashamb Surp Asdvadsadsin Church of Tabriz Chapel of Chupan Saint Gevorg Church of Haftvan Chapel of Dzordzor Surp Asdvadzadzin Surp Amenaprkich Vank Surp Bethlehem Church Surp Asdvadsadsin of New Julfa Surp Gevorg Church of New Julfa
Jerusalem and Holy Land	Cathedral of St. James St. Toros Church Church of the Holy Archangels Chapel of Saint Helena Saint Nicholas Monastery
Turkey	Aghtamar Ani Cathedral Arakelots Monastery Arapgir Cathedral Arter Banak Church of the Redeemer Holy Mother of God Cathedral Horomos Karmravank Kars Cathedral Khtzkonk Ktuts Lim Monastery of the All-Saviour (Trebizond) Mren Diyarbakir Soradir Narekavank Saint Bartholomew Monastery Surb Nshan Monastery Saint George of Samatya, Istanbul Saint Hakob of Akori Monastery Surb Karapet Monastery Surp Gevork of Goms Surp Marineh Church, Mush Tekor Basilica Varagavank Varzahan Monastery Yerazgavors
Ukraine	Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Surp Khach Monastery
Armenia Portal

Coordinates: 31°46′42.4″N 35°13′47.1″E / 31.778444°N 35.229750°E / 31.778444; 35.229750