The Holy Cross Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery which stands on the top of a hill called Stavrovouni, 750 meters above sea level. The monastery is one of the few places where one can see a piece of the original Holy Cross. Stavrovouni Monastery was founded by Saint Helena (Saint Constantine’s mother) around 327 AD – 329 AD and therefore it is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. According to a 15th century Cypriot chronicler, Saint Helena went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where she discovered the three crosses which Jesus and the two thieves had been crucified. On her return journey to Constantinople, the ship, carrying the Holy Cross, landed in Cyprus during a storm, where it is said to have left a small piece of the Holy Cross behind. Religious history suggests that the Holy Cross was transferred by a miracle to the top of the high hill overnight and that a strong light shone from that peak. Saint Helena decided then to leave a small piece of the Holy Cross there and built a small chapel to commemorate it.