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Flavia Julia Helena [a] (/ ˈ h ɛ l ə n ə /; Greek: Ἑλένη, Helénē; c. AD 246/248–330), also known as Helena of Constantinople and in Christianity as Saint Helena, [b] was an Augusta of the Roman Empire and mother of Emperor Constantine the Great.
- 337-350
- 337-340
- 306-337
- 305-306
The young Empress Helena, daughter of Romanus, whom we introduced at the close of the last chapter is imperfectly, but not favourably, known to us. Beautiful and intelligent, she found no occasion to assert herself as long as her father lived.
As empress, Helena spent her days in acts of charity, and built magnificent churches on the holy sites of the faith, frequently tearing down pagan temples that had been built on those sites. She worked tirelessly for the poor, released prisoners, and humbly mingled with ordinary worshipers in modest attire.
Sep 27, 2024 · St. Helena (born c. 248, Drepanon?, Bithynia, Asia Minor—died c. 328, Nicomedia; Western feast day August 18; Eastern feast day [with Constantine] May 21) was a Roman empress who was the reputed discoverer of Christ’s cross.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Early Life
- Constantine's Court & Christianity
- Pilgrimage to Jerusalem & The Discovery of The True Cross
- Sainthood
- Modern Depiction
Helena was born at Depranum (modern Trapani) in Bithynia, which Constantine later renamed Helenopolis in honor of his mother. The exact date of her birth is unknown. Nothing is known about her family, so it is possible to conclude that they were not members of the aristocracy. Some authors claim that Helena was a stabularia, which could either mean...
Constantine became emperor in 306 CE when he was proclaimed Augustus by his troops. He fought civil wars against other emperors – Maxentius and Licinius – and led various campaigns against the Franks and Visigoths, amongst others. The new emperor made Byzantium his capital, giving the citythe name New Rome at that time; later, in honor of the emper...
In 326 CE, Constantine had his son Crispus executed, after the accusation of his wife, Fausta, of an alleged sexual crime. After this, he also ordered that Fausta be murdered on a charge of adultery, as there was a rumor that Fausta had accused Crispus in an attempt to hide his adulterous acts. Some historians claim that Constantine decided to murd...
By the time Helena died at the age of 80, c. 328 CE (some sources say 329 and even 330 CE), she was already associated with many monuments in Rome, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, and was also depicted on many coins. She was buried in the newly built basilica on Via Labicana in Rome, and today her sarcophagus is in the Museo Pio-Clementino in the Vatican...
There is a legend in Great Britain that Helena was the daughter of a King of Britain, named Cole of Colchester, who was an ally of Constantius, but there is evidence of Helena having lived in Britain or being born there. Constantius died in the city of York when Constantine was with him, but in this period, his parents were already separated. It is...
Helena was the first wife of Constantius I (q.v.) and the mother of Constantine the Great (q.v.). She remained influential during her son's reign, and is credited with bringing Christian relics from Jerusalem and founding new churches. She was buried on the Via Labicana, outside of Rome.
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Aug 18, 2024 · It was the richness of soul, more than material wealth and prestige, that characterized the actions of Saint Helena, and that even before her conversion as an adult. Humility, generosity, and dedication to her neighbor emerge from the scant information we have available about her life.
