TODAY'S SAINT (Helena)

HELENA

(d. ca. 326-328)

Empress,mother of Constantine the Great

Also know as: Helen of the Cross

Helena, a native of Turkey, married Constantius I Chlorus, a Roman general who reigned as junior emperor from 293 to 306. The marriage took place in 270, and a son, Constantine, was born soon thereafter. After his elevation to caesar, Constantius was required to divorce Helena, a woman of a lower class than he, and marry Theodora, the stepdaughter of co-emperor Maxi-miann (r. 286-305).

Son Constantine became a junior emperor upon the death of his father in 306. In 312, he won a major military victory over Maximian and became emperor. Helena was named empress.

Helena converted to Christianity and was renowned for her charity and building of chur-ches. She went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land--by some accounts when she was nearly 80 years old--in search of the holy cross. In excavations, three crosses were discovered, including one that seemed to be the "true cross." Hene in art she is often shown holding a cross.

Helena died probably in Nicomedia (in modern Turkey). Her sarcophagus is in the Vatican Museum.

Feast: August 18

Patronage: converts; against divorce; empresses

www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/default.asp

www.catholic.org/saints

www.catholic-pages.com/dir/saints