Tuesday, August 18, 2009

St. Helena and the True Cross


Today is the feast of St. Helena of the True Cross.  The above video is very interesting and tells us why Helena is always seen holding a large cross.  The following comes from the Patron Saints Index:

Converted to Christianity late in life. Married Constantius Chlorus, co-regent of the western Roman empire. Mother of Constantine the Great. Her husband put her aside for a second marriage with better political connections. On his death, her son ascended to the throne, brought her home, and treated her as royalty. She used her high position and wealth in the service of her religious enthusiasm, and helped build churches throughout the empire.

At the age of 80 she led a group to the Holy Land to search for the True Cross. She and her group unearthed three crosses in 326. At the suggestion of Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, she took them to a woman afflicated with an incurable disease, and had her touch each one. One of them immediately cured her, and it was pronounced the True Cross. She built a church on the spot where the cross was found, and sent pieces to Rome and Constantinople; the Feast of the Holy Cross on 14 September celebrates the event. Thus in art, she is usually depicted holding a wooden cross.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar
Blessed be God in all His angels and in all His saints

Helene said...

Thank you for this wonderful information. Today is my feast day -- and I didn't even know it!

Anthony said...

St.Helena's British origins are not usually mentioned.
Visitors to the ancient Roman city of Colchester,in our English county of Essex,can visit her Chapel,now in the custody of Orthodox Christians.

Anthony Weaver
Retreats Beyond Dover
London