Funds for construction of the building, budgeted at a million Birr, was provided by the woreda and Helvidius, a non-governmental organization.
Senator Robert Byrd was quoted in the New York Times on November 20, 2002 referencing Helvidius Priscus.
Some early writers, Tertullian, Helvidius and Eunomius of Cyzicus, interpreted Matthew's statement to mean that Joseph and Mary did have normal marital relations after Jesus' birth, and that James, Joses, Jude, and Simon were the biological sons of Mary and Joseph, a view held by Helvidius and Eunomius.