Saint Helena
Stored in Cargo: Saint Helena
| Saint Helena | |
| Feast Day | August 18 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Archaeologists, converts, Jerusalem |
| Birthplace | Drepanum, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Rome, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Santa Croce, Rome, Italy |
Saint Helena (250 AD – 330 AD) was a Roman empress and mother of Emperor Constantine, renowned for discovering the True Cross. Born in Drepanum, Roman Empire, she undertook pilgrimages to Jerusalem, building churches. Canonized pre-Congregation, she is venerated for her piety.[1]
Helena is the patron saint of archaeologists, converts, and Jerusalem, with her feast day on 18 August. Honored in Catholic, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion, her relics at the Basilica of Santa Croce, Rome, draw pilgrims. Her discoveries shaped Christian archaeology.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Helena was born in 250 AD in Drepanum, Roman Empire, to a humble family.[1] Drepanum’s Christian community shaped her faith. No records detail her parents.
Her piety led to imperial prominence.[3]
Early Life
Helena married Constantius Chlorus, bearing Constantine around 272 AD.[4] After their divorce, she converted to Christianity, influencing Constantine’s Edict of Milan in 313 AD. Pilgrimaging to Jerusalem in 326 AD, she discovered the True Cross and built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Her discoveries spurred Christian pilgrimage.[5]
Occupation
Helena was an empress and pilgrim.[1] She oversaw charitable works, funded churches, and excavated holy sites. Her “occupation” as a saint involved spreading Christianity.
Her basilicas endure in Jerusalem.[6]
Vocation
Helena’s religious vocation began with her conversion around 312 AD.[1] Her pilgrimages and church-building from 326 AD defined her calling, promoting Christian unity. Her devotion to the Cross inspired relics’ veneration.
Her work shaped early Christendom.[7]
Death
Helena died in 330 AD in Rome, Roman Empire, from natural causes, aged 80.[1] She passed in her palace, surrounded by family. Her death was mourned widely.
Relics at the Basilica of Santa Croce draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Drepanum, Roman Empire
Death location: Rome, Roman Empire
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Helena’s sainthood was recognized post-330 AD, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; her discoveries affirmed sanctity. Chronicles documented her life.
Devotion grew in Jerusalem.[1]
Venerable
Helena was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] Her piety affirmed virtue. Early Christians ensured her status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Helena did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] Her veneration bypassed such stages. Rome honored her with a feast day by the 4th century.
This aligns with early saints.[3]
Canonization
Helena was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date.[1] Her feast day of 18 August was set by the 4th century. No miracles were required; her discoveries sufficed.
Her veneration thrives in Orthodox Christianity.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required, as Helena was not beatified.[1] Her sainthood rested on her works. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Helena’s canonization.[1] Her discovery of the Cross sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early saints.[5]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Helena is the patron saint of archaeologists, converts, and Jerusalem.[2] Her patronage supports discovery.[9]
Feast day
Helena’s feast day is 18 August, celebrated with Masses in Jerusalem, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion.[1] Pilgrimages to her basilica mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Helena is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Basilica of Santa Croce.[2] Archaeologists seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day.
Depicted with a cross, her discoveries, noted in X posts, inspire faith.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in basilicas.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Helena". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-helena/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Helena". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=246. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Helena". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07202b.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Helena". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Helena. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Helena". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-helena/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Helena". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-helena-614. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. David Cohen. "Holy Sepulchre". Patriarchate of Jerusalem. https://www.jerusalemdiocese.org/helena. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Helena". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/08/18/101907-saint-helena. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Helena". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-helena. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Helena, Finder of the Cross". CatholicSaints via X. 18 August 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/helena2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.