Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, was born around the middle of the third century, likely in Drepanum, later known as Helenopolis.
Though she came from humble origins, she became the lawful wife of Constantius Chlorus, and together they had a son, Constantine, born in 274. There is a myth that she was the daughter of a British prince, but this is historically unfounded.
In 292, Constantius, having become co-Regent of the West, left Helena to marry Theodora, the step-daughter of Emperor Maximinianus Herculius. Despite this separation, their son Constantine remained loyal to Helena. Upon the death of Constantius in 308, Constantine summoned his mother to the imperial court, conferred on her the title of Augusta, and ordered that she be treated with all the respect due to the mother of the emperor.
Helena converted to Christianity, influenced by her son’s victory over Maxentius. As a devout Christian, she favored the spread of Christianity and was linked to the construction of Christian churches in Rome and Trier, as well as in Palestine.
In her later years, Helena embarked on a journey to Palestine, where she showed great devotion to the holy sites and had churches erected near the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem and on the Mount of the Ascension in Jerusalem. It was during her stay in Jerusalem that the legend of the discovery of the True Cross of Christ emerged. Helena was known for her charity, assisting not only individuals but entire communities, and her dedication to visiting and donating to churches.
In Rome, Helena’s memory is closely associated with the church of S. Croce in Gerusalemme, which was likely built on the site of her residence, the Palatium Sessorianum, and near the Thermae Helenianae named after her.
Helena lived until around 330, as evidenced by coins stamped with her name from that year. After her death, her body was brought to Constantinople and laid to rest in the imperial vault of the church of the Apostles. Her remains were possibly transferred to the Abbey of Hautvillers in France in 849. She was venerated as a saint, and her feast is celebrated on August 18th.
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