Sometime around 250 CE, in what was then the Roman province of Bithynia (modern day Turkey) a daughter was born to Greek parents who were innkeepers in a city called Drepanum. (Or so it is widely believed) Her parents named her Helena. As a child of innkeepers it's likely that she grew up working in the family business. There are different accounts of her early life; one thing they generally agree on is that she was an ordinary girl from an ordinary family. It may have been while working at her parents' business that she met a Roman soldier named Constantius Chlorus. Who may have been stationed in Bithynia while serving in the armies of Emperor Aurelian. There's a story that he met her, noticed that they were wearing identical silver bracelets, and decided on the spot that Helena was the only girl for him. It was clearly meant to be.
They might or might not have been actually married. Either way, Helena gave birth to a son around 272 CE. She named her baby Constantinus.
A contemporary marble portrait bust of Helena.
The baby's father Constantius was himself of humble origins. But he must have been a terrific soldier; he made a name for himself and his career took off to the point that he decided he needed a more distinguished wife. He dumped Helena around 280 CE and married Theodora, an actual Roman Emperor's daughter. One thing led to another, and then Constantius was an Emperor himself. (Actually, there was a whole lot going on but this story really isn't about Helena's baby daddy) Constantius had six children with Theodora, but after he died in 306 CE it was his first son, Constantinus, who, after a lot of hassles and civil war, eventually became Emperor after him. Helena, the girl he'd dumped, ended up becoming the Dowager Empress. (Take that, you faithless social-climbing jackwagon)
Marble seated sculpture of Flavia Julia Helena Augusta.
Sometime around 312 CE, Constantinus saw a vision, which was followed by a dream, which was followed by him leading his armies to a decisive victory in an important battle under a new, Christian battle standard. Flavius Constantinus the pagan Roman Emperor ended up becoming Flavius Constantinus the first Christian Roman Emperor. Otherwise known to us as Constantine the Great. He formally legalized Christianity, ended the persecution of Christians, made the city of Byzantium his capital, renamed it Constantinople, and the Byzantine Empire was launched. Constantine was a very busy guy.
Helena and her daughter-in-law Fausta were elevated to the rank of Augusta, Empress. It was then that Helena took the Imperial family names Flavia and Julia, becoming Flavia Julia Helena Augusta. Some historians claim that she was already a Christian when her son converted. Others believe that Helena converted when her son did.
There was a nasty family scandal involving her oldest grandson, Crispus, and his stepmother Fausta around 326 CE that ended in Helena's grandson being executed. Then the stepmother was executed too. (The messiness that characterized much of Byzantine politics and imperial family life started early it seems) Helena understandably needed a break. So she went on an extended trip, and by doing so became the first recorded Christian pilgrim. Helena began a tradition which flourishes to this day.
Modern pilgrim's map showing Christian holy sites in Israel.
Helena had mystical visions; she lead her entourage all over Roman Palestine in search of the scenes of Christ's life and ministry, and relics to unearth and bring home. The holy sites were located, and in the years to come each was descended upon by armies of architects, masons, carpenters and other craftsmen, slaves and priests and bishops come to build churches and basilicas at each location. Existing buildings and homes were sometimes razed to make room, and local people were pressed into service, willing or not.
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Those towns where the new churches were built eventually saw an influx of pilgrims who not only visited the churches but stayed in the local inns, ate and drank at the local taverns, and spent money in the local marketplaces. Trade was expanded, new businesses were established, jobs were created; money was made, and taxes collected. Going on pilgrimage became an acceptable and praiseworthy way for Christians to do penance for sins, avoid imprisonment, fulfill vows, and perhaps enjoy a ramble across Europe into the Holy Land. Seeking absolution, healing, blessings, and sightseeing excursions.
Altar inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. A flight of steps leads to a chapel beneath the church, at the spot where the True Cross was found.
Helena discovered troves of relics as well. Some, like the True Cross and the Crown of Thorns got broken up, and pieces found their way into churches and cathedrals across Europe. Which in turn brought pilgrims to those churches, too. There emerged a profitable and competitive trade in holy relics, both genuine and counterfeit, which persisted for centuries. Even though the Church banned the practice in 1215 CE.
The Holy Tunic, or Seamless Robe, in the Cathedral of Trier, Germany. The methods used to preserve it have apparently made carbon dating impossible.
Items which were eventually donated to the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem included a crucifixion nail, part of the cross of the "good thief", parts of the True Cross, the Titulus Crucis (the title of the cross), some thorns from the Crown of Thorns, bits of the Scourging Pillar, and a finger that belonged to St Thomas.
The Titulus Crucis, which is now in Rome. When it was studied in the 1990s a majority opinion agreed that it is a first century CE relic.
The holy places and their associated relics discovered by Helena brought inspiration and solace to millions of devout believers. They brought economic growth to communities. They fueled the expansion of Christianity, and helped set the stage for the later cascade of bloodshed and fire that was the Crusades.
A fragment of the True Cross, in the Hofburg Palace, Vienna. Alleged splinters of the True Cross were among the most numerous counterfeit relics of the Medieval era.
Helena was about eighty years old when she died, and was canonized in the 6th Century CE. The woman who has been variously described as a waitress, a stable-maid, a concubine, a mystic, and an empress is known today as Saint Helena of Constantinople. Her major shrine is located in St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Shrine of St Helena at St Peter's Basilica, Rome.
St Helena is a patron saint of archaeologists, converts, difficult marriages, and divorced people. (Personally I think she should be a patron saint of single moms and tourists as well) She has multiple feast days and is honored by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and others including Anglican and Lutheran.
17th Century Orthodox icon of Saints Constantine and Helena.
The innkeeper's daughter who became an empress had an impact on the Christian faith, and on the world, that is felt to this very day.
Modern holy card depicting St Helena.
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Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.
