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Saint Helen (also known as Saint Helena or Saint Helen of Constantinople, c. 246/250–330 AD) was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor.
Born in humble circumstances in what is now Turkey or Germany, she married Constantius Chlorus and became the mother of Constantine. After her son became emperor and legalized Christianity in 313 AD (Edict of Milan), Helen converted to Christianity. She used her influence and wealth to support the Church and built many churches and basilicas.
Her most famous achievement came in 326–328 AD when, at nearly 80 years old, she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. According to tradition, she discovered the True Cross of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, along with the nails and the site of the Crucifixion. She had churches built on the sites of the Holy Sepulchre and the Nativity in Bethlehem.
She died around 330 AD. Her feast day is August 18 in the Western Church (and May 21 in the Eastern Church).
Saint Helen is venerated as the patron saint of:
Archaeologists
Converts to Christianity
Difficult marriages (she endured an unhappy marriage and later divorce)
Divorced people
Empresses and queens
The Holy Land and pilgrims to Jerusalem
She is often depicted wearing imperial robes and a crown, holding a large cross or the True Cross.
Her life is a powerful example of how someone can come to faith later in life and use their influence for great good. She remains especially loved by archaeologists and those who have struggled in marriage.
Saint Helen (also known as Saint Helena or Saint Helen of Constantinople, c. 246/250–330 AD) was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor.
Born in humble circumstances in what is now Turkey or Germany, she married Constantius Chlorus and became the mother of Constantine. After her son became emperor and legalized Christianity in 313 AD (Edict of Milan), Helen converted to Christianity. She used her influence and wealth to support the Church and built many churches and basilicas.
Her most famous achievement came in 326–328 AD when, at nearly 80 years old, she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. According to tradition, she discovered the True Cross of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, along with the nails and the site of the Crucifixion. She had churches built on the sites of the Holy Sepulchre and the Nativity in Bethlehem.
She died around 330 AD. Her feast day is August 18 in the Western Church (and May 21 in the Eastern Church).
Saint Helen is venerated as the patron saint of:
Archaeologists
Converts to Christianity
Difficult marriages (she endured an unhappy marriage and later divorce)
Divorced people
Empresses and queens
The Holy Land and pilgrims to Jerusalem
She is often depicted wearing imperial robes and a crown, holding a large cross or the True Cross.
Her life is a powerful example of how someone can come to faith later in life and use their influence for great good. She remains especially loved by archaeologists and those who have struggled in marriage.
