St. Helen

St. Helen Biography

St. Helen, also known as Helena, was the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and a devout Christian. She is revered as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches.

According to tradition, St. Helen was born in the middle of the 3rd century in Drepanum, a city in the Roman province of Bithynia in Asia Minor. Not much is known about her early life, but she is believed to have married Constantius Chlorus, a Roman soldier and officer who later became Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Helen and Constantius had one son, Constantine, who was born in 272.

After Constantius divorced Helen to marry Theodora, the stepmother of the future Emperor Maxentius, Helen largely withdrew from public life. However, she remained influential in the upbringing of her son and is credited with instilling in him a deep faith in Christianity.

In 312, Constantine defeated Maxentius in a battle at the Milvian Bridge near Rome, becoming the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire. He later issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which granted religious toleration to Christians and effectively ended the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

St. Helen is believed to have played a significant role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. She is said to have traveled to the Holy Land in search of the True Cross, the cross on which Jesus was crucified. According to tradition, St. Helen discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem and brought it back to Rome, where it was enshrined in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

St. Helen is also credited with establishing many churches and monasteries, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which marks the birthplace of Jesus. She is venerated as a patron saint of archaeologists and is remembered for her devotion to the Christian faith and her tireless work to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. St. Helen’s feast day is August 18th. St. Helena is the patron saint of difficult marriages and divorced people.

Popular St. Helen Medal and St. Helen Rosary

Why is St. Helen the patron saint of divorced people and difficult marriages?

St. Helen is considered the patron saint of difficult marriages and divorced people due to her own personal experiences with marriage and divorce. St. Helen was married to Constantius Chlorus, a Roman soldier and officer who later became Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. The couple had one son, Constantine, who was born in 272. However, Constantius divorced Helen to marry Theodora, the stepmother of the future Emperor Maxentius, and Helen largely withdrew from public life.

Despite this difficult experience, St. Helen is remembered for her faith and devotion to God. It is possible that she was seen as a role model for people facing difficult marriages or going through divorce, as she remained strong in her faith and persevered through her own challenges.

It is also possible that St. Helen was chosen as the patron saint of difficult marriages and divorced people because of her reputation for helping others. She is credited with establishing many churches and monasteries and spreading the message of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. It is possible that she was seen as someone who could offer support and guidance to those facing difficult circumstances in their own lives.

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Miracles of St. Helen

Some of the most well-known stories about St. Helen’s miracles include:

1. The discovery of the True Cross: According to tradition, St. Helen was responsible for discovering the True Cross, the wooden cross on which Jesus was crucified, in Jerusalem in the 4th century. This discovery is said to have been accompanied by numerous miraculous healings.

2. The healing of a sick boy: St. Helen is said to have cured a young boy of a serious illness by praying over him and making the sign of the cross.

3. The conversion of a pagan temple: St. Helen is said to have converted a pagan temple in Rome into a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This conversion is said to have been accompanied by numerous miraculous healings and other wonders.

4. The protection of a city from invaders: According to legend, St. Helen is said to have protected the city of Treves (now Trier, Germany) from invading forces by holding up a relic of the True Cross. The invaders are said to have fled in fear upon seeing the relic.

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Prayers to St. Helen

Prayer of Intercession to St. Helen

O St. Helen, beloved mother of Constantine the Great and patroness of archaeology, I pray that you intercede on my behalf before the Lord. Grant me the wisdom and discernment to uncover the truth in all things, and the courage to follow it wherever it may lead. Help me to be a faithful servant of Christ, and to use my gifts and talents to build up the kingdom of God on earth. Amen.

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Prayer to St. Helen

O St. Helen, blessed by the Lord with the gift of faith and the grace to persevere in times of trial, I implore you to pray for me in my own struggles. Help me to trust in the Lord’s plan for my life, and to find peace and joy in all circumstances. Give me the strength to overcome any obstacle that may stand in the way of my spiritual growth, and guide me towards a deeper relationship with Christ. Amen.

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Prayer to St. Helen

O St. Helen, whose tireless efforts to spread the Gospel and defend the faith have inspired countless believers throughout the ages, I pray that you will intercede for me as I strive to follow in your footsteps. Grant me the courage to speak the truth in love, and to stand firm in my beliefs even when faced with opposition. Help me to be a witness to the love of Christ in all that I do, and to bring the light of the Gospel to those who are in need of His grace. Amen.

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Children’s Story about the life of St. Helen

In the land of Rome, there lived a kind and courageous woman named St. Helen. St. Helen was the mother of Constantine, the Roman Emperor, and she was a devout Christian.

Despite living in a time when it was dangerous to be a Christian, St. Helen never wavered in her faith. She raised her son Constantine to love and follow Jesus, and she worked tirelessly to spread the message of the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.

One day, St. Helen heard a rumor that the True Cross, the cross on which Jesus was crucified, had been hidden away in a far-off land called Jerusalem. St. Helen was determined to find the True Cross and bring it back to Rome, where it could be revered and worshipped by all.

So, St. Helen set out on a long and difficult journey to Jerusalem. She traveled through scorching deserts and over treacherous mountains, always keeping her faith in Jesus close to her heart.

Finally, after many months of travel, St. Helen arrived in Jerusalem. She searched high and low for the True Cross, asking everyone she met if they knew where it might be.

At last, St. Helen received a tip that the True Cross was hidden in a dark and gloomy cave. She gathered a group of brave followers and set out to find the cave.

After a long and difficult search, they finally found the cave and, inside, they discovered the True Cross! St. Helen was overjoyed and she thanked God for leading her to this holy relic.

St. Helen and her followers carefully wrapped the True Cross in cloth and set out on the long journey back to Rome. When they arrived, they presented the True Cross to the people of Rome and it was placed in a beautiful church for all to see and venerate.

From that day on, St. Helen was known as a hero and a saint. She is remembered for her faith, her courage, and her tireless work to spread the love of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire.

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Reflection on the Feast of St. Helen

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Helen on August 18th. The Feast of St. Helen, which is celebrated on August 18th in the Catholic Church and on May 21st in the Orthodox Church, is an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of this remarkable saint.

St. Helen was a remarkable woman who lived in the 4th century and is best known for her role in the conversion of her son, Constantine the Great, to Christianity. She is also revered for her efforts to spread the Gospel and for her tireless work in building churches and supporting the poor.

As we celebrate the Feast of St. Helen, we can reflect on the example she set for us as a faithful servant of God. We can ask ourselves how we can follow in her footsteps by living a life of service to others and sharing the love of Christ with those around us.

We can also give thanks for the many blessings and graces that God has given us through the intercession of St. Helen. Whether we are in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, we can turn to St. Helen and ask for her prayers and intercession.

As we celebrate the Feast of St. Helen, let us give thanks for this great saint and the many ways in which her life and example continue to inspire and guide us on our own journey of faith.

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Lessons learned from St. Helen

Key lessons to learn from St. Helen include: 

1. The power of faith: St. Helen’s faith was a driving force in her life, and it led her to make many sacrifices and take great risks in order to spread the Gospel and serve God. Her faith also inspired her son, Constantine the Great, to convert to Christianity and work to bring about religious tolerance and unity within the Roman Empire.

2. The importance of service to others: St. Helen was known for her tireless efforts to help the poor and support those in need. She built hospitals and churches, and used her wealth and influence to alleviate suffering and promote justice.

3. The value of perseverance: St. Helen faced many challenges and setbacks in her life, but she never lost hope or her faith in God. She persevered through difficult times and remained committed to her beliefs, even when it was difficult or unpopular to do so.

4. The transformative power of love: St. Helen’s love for God and for others was evident in all that she did. She loved selflessly and without reservation, and her love had a profound impact on those around her, including her son, Constantine, who was transformed by her example.

Next up: Biography of St. Henry II

Also check out our handmade St. Helen Medal and St. Helen Rosary and St. Helen Rosary Bracelet .