The Orthodox Parish of Saint Elena in Monaco marked its 8th anniversary on Saturday, June 14 with a joyful celebration of its patronal feast day, honouring Saint Elena, mother of Emperor Constantine and an important figure in Christian history. The occasion brought together clergy and congregants in a spirited religious service followed by a lively and informal lunch at Pulcinella, a local favourite on rue du Portier.
The service, attended by multiple priests and clergy from the wider Orthodox community, underscored the growing significance of the parish within Monaco’s diverse religious landscape. The feast day not only commemorates Saint Elena’s legacy — traditionally revered for her pious influence and the discovery of the True Cross — but also celebrates the resilience and unity of the Orthodox faithful in the Principality.
Established in 2017, the Parish of Saint Elena has become a spiritual home for Orthodox Christians living in or visiting Monaco. Despite lacking a dedicated Orthodox church building of its own, the parish gathers every Saturday morning at 10:00 at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church on Avenue de Grande-Bretagne in Monte-Carlo — a gesture of ecumenical cooperation that reflects the inclusive nature of worship in the Principality.
The parish functions under ROCOR and offers services in both Church Slavonic and local languages, drawing a congregation made up of Russians, Serbians, Greeks, Romanians, and other Orthodox nationals. Beyond its weekly liturgies, the parish organises baptisms, weddings, and cultural events, offering both spiritual guidance and a strong sense of community to Orthodox Christians far from their ancestral churches.
Saturday’s anniversary was as much a celebration of faith as it was of fellowship — a reminder that even in one of the world’s most cosmopolitan corners, tradition and spirituality continue to find firm footing.
