St. Helena
August 18

St. Helena

St. Helena

When She Lived

Saint Helena is believed to have lived from around 248 AD to 329 AD.

Where She Lived

Saint Helena was born in Drepanum (modern-day Narona, Croatia) and later resided in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire.

Notable World Events During Her Life

  • The Edict of Milan (313 AD): Emperor Constantine the Great issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance to Christians, ending the persecution they had faced for centuries.
  • The First Council of Nicaea (325 AD): This ecumenical council aimed to address theological disputes within Christianity and resulted in the formulation of the Nicene Creed, a significant statement of Christian faith.
  • Roman Empire’s Split (285-337 AD): During Saint Helena’s lifetime, the Roman Empire was divided into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. Her son, Constantine, played a pivotal role in this division.
  • Emergence of Byzantine Empire: The establishment of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire marked the beginning of the Byzantine Empire’s prominence.
  • The Barbarian Invasions: Various Germanic tribes, such as the Visigoths and Vandals, began invading the Roman Empire during this time, leading to significant geopolitical changes.
  • Birth of Christianity: Christianity continued to grow in influence, transitioning from a persecuted sect to becoming the state religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine’s rule.

Patronage

Saint Helena is the patron saint of several important aspects, including archaeologists (due to her reputed discovery of the True Cross), converts, difficult marriages (likely due to her own challenging marriage), and the island of Saint Helena. She is also invoked for those seeking the discovery of lost or hidden treasures.

Introduction

Born outside the noble classes at the time, Saint Helena was born around 248 A.D. in present-day Turkey. Saint Helena is also known as Helena and Helena Augusta.

She is one of the most important and notable figures in the history of Christianity, with several churches revering her as a saint and others commemorating her. The churches that revere her include the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Anglican Communion. The Lutheran Church commemorates her.

Little is known about her early life, but her story and how she became so notable are ones to remember. Let’s read on and discover her life story and how she became so important in the faith of Christianity.

Marriage to Emperor Constantius

While the exact date of their meeting is unknown, it is widely believed that Constantius saw Helena as his soulmate, sent by God. Why? At the time of their meeting, Constantius and Helena were wearing identical silver bracelets.

The exact legal nature of the relationship between Saint Helena and Constantius is unknown. Some historians believe that the two lovebirds were in a common-law marriage, while others believe that they were in fact legally married.

Other historians have also found some sources where Saint Helena was called the wife of Constantius, while other sources called her his concubine. Nonetheless, Saint Helena, soon into their relationship, gave birth to the future emperor of Rome while in Serbia.

Born on February 27, around 270 A.D., Constantine I was the only son between Helena and Constantius. Soon after his birth, Constantius divorced Helena and married Theodora. This was done for Constantius to have a wife born into the noble classes and keep up with his rising status in the noble world.

Pilgrimage

The divorce broke Helena, and she lived a life away from being known by the public. It wasn’t until Constantine I took the throne in 306 A.D. that Saint Helena came to live in the public eye again.

Once Constantine I became emperor, Saint Helena was given the title of Augusta Imperatrix.” This gave Helena complete, unlimited access to the imperial treasury and all the resources needed to locate Christian relics.

Once this happened, Saint Helena undertook her pilgrimage to Palestine and its environs. She was also tasked with the beautification of two churches, namely, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of Eleona on the Mount of Olives. These churches are the sites of Christ’s birth and ascension, both Holy grounds in the Christian faith.

Saint Helena discovered major relics of the Christian tradition while on her pilgrimage to Palestine and its environs. Some of these major relics included the True Cross, the nails of the crucifixion, the rope used in the crucifixion, and the Holy Tunic.

In 327 A.D., Saint Helena returned to Rome with the relics she had discovered. The relics are housed in her palace’s private chapel, which can still be seen today. She is known as the patron saint of new discoveries for her important discovery of these relics. She is also the patron saint of difficult marriages, divorced people, converts, and archaeologists.

Later, the palace, in which Saint Helena resided, was converted into the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

The Last Years of Saint Helena

Around 330 A.D., beloved Saint Helena passed away with her son at her side. She was buried outside Rome on the Via Labicana, in the Mausoleum of Helena. The sarcophagus of Saint Helena is on display at the Pio-Clementine Vatican Museum, with her granddaughter’s sarcophagus next to it.

5 Interesting Facts About St. Helena

  • Her feast day as a saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church is
    celebrated with her son, May 21, known as the “Feast of the Holy Great
    Sovereigns Constantine and Helena, Equal to the Apostles
  • While on her pilgrimage, she also stopped in Cyprus. It is said
    that Saint Helena is responsible for the large cat population as she
    ordered for cats to be sent to rid the monastery of snakes.
  • The skull of Saint Helena is on display in the Cathedral of Trier.
    in Germany.
  • The complete body of Saint Helena is believed to be enshrined.
    under the main altar at the Church of Saint Elizabeth in Venice.
  • The statue of Saint Helena can be seen in St. Peter’s Basilica in
    Rome, Italy.

Prayer to St. Helena

Holy and blessed St. Helena, with love and devotion you sought to find the Cross of Our Savior. I plead for your intercession that I may have the same love and devotion to Jesus, my Lord. Like you, may I accept the trials of life with patience and hope? Under your protection, may I carry the Cross that the Lord has given me in this life, and one day may I share with you the Crown of life eternal. St. Helena, finder of the Cross, pray for us. Amen