St. Helena was an Empress of the Roman Empire and the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. Helena's early years are largely unknown, however, it is thought that she was born into a lower-class Roman family at Drepanum (later known as Helenopolis), Asia Minor and that her family was destitute.
Helena wed Constantius Chlorus regardless of her background. Around the year 274, she gave birth to Constantine, her only child, with him. Constantius, who was now co-Regent of the West, divorced Helena for Theodora, the stepdaughter of Emperor Maximinianus Herculius, almost two decades later, in 292, while he was caught up in his ascent to power. It is thought that he did this to enhance his reputation and position within Roman society.
Constantine loved his mother dearly and was always loyal to her. He remained by Helena's side as he matured and joined the inner circle. When Constantius passed away in 308, Constantine succeeded him as emperor and invited his mother back into the inner circle and the imperial court. Helena was given the name Augusta.
Constantine directed that everyone respect his mother. He even had coins made with her image on them. Helena started to embrace Christianity under the influence of her son. Helena had complete control over the imperial treasury thanks to her role as Augusta Imperatrix. She was tasked with tracking down Christian cultural artifacts.
Helena traveled to the Holy Places in the Middle East between the years 326-328. Helena built numerous churches along the way, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which stands where Jesus was born, and the Church of Eleona on the Mount of Olives, which is where he was raised.
After being destroyed by Titus, Jerusalem was still being rebuilt at this time. Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a temple over the spot where Jesus died about the year 130. Helena chose a place here to be excavated and had this temple razed. Three crosses were later found as a result of this.
According to legend, Helena carried a dying woman to the crosses. She instructed the woman to touch each of the three crosses there. When she touched the first two crosses, nothing occurred, but when she put her hand on the third cross, she miraculously recovered. The True Cross, according to Helena, is the third cross. Constantine gave the order to erect the Church of the Holy Sepulchre here.
A renowned theologian named Theodoret of Cyrus claimed that Helena also found the crucifixion's nails while searching. She had one of the nails inserted in Constantine's helmet and another in his horse's bridle to aid him with their miraculous powers. At these locations, churches were also erected.
Cyprus is the location of several of the artifacts thought to have been discovered by St. Helena. These include portions of Jesus' tunic, the holy cross, and the rope that was used to fasten him to the cross. Helena brought pieces of the True Cross back with her from Jerusalem to Rome in 327. She kept these in the chapel of her palace. Despite her palace in Jerusalem being transformed into the Basilica of the Holy Cross, they may still be seen today.
Around 330, St. Helena passed away with her devoted son by her side. She was then interred outside of Rome in the Mausoleum of Helena. The Pio-Clementine Vatican Museum is home to her sarcophagus.
St. Helena was well known for her charitable acts that benefited whole communities in addition to individuals. She frequently looked for ways to assist the needy and impoverished. When she went to churches, she would leave them with generous donations. As a profoundly devoted servant of God, St. Helena gave the impression that she had been a believer of Jesus Christ from infancy. Christianity was able to continue to expand throughout the known world because of her efforts.
Saint Helena, whose feast day is observed on August 18, is the patron saint of new discoveries.
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