Helena, mother of Constantine I
Roman empress and saint (c. 246–c. 330) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Flavia Julia Helena[lower-alpha 1] (/ˈhɛlənə/; Greek: Ἑλένη, Helénē; c. AD 246/248–330), also known as Helena of Constantinople and in Christianity as Saint Helena,[lower-alpha 2] was an Augusta of the Roman Empire and mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. She was born in the lower classes[2] traditionally in the Greek city of Drepanon, Bithynia, in Asia Minor, which was renamed Helenopolis in her honor, although several locations have been proposed for her birthplace and origin.
Helena | |||||||||
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Augusta | |||||||||
Born | c. AD 246/48 Drepanon (later Helenopolis), Bithynia, in Asia Minor | ||||||||
Died | AD 330 Rome, Tuscania et Umbria | ||||||||
Burial | |||||||||
Spouse | Constantius Chlorus | ||||||||
Issue | Constantine I | ||||||||
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Dynasty | Constantinian | ||||||||
Religion | Nicene Christianity |
Helena ranks as an important figure in the history of Christianity. In her final years, she made a religious tour of Syria Palaestina and Jerusalem, during which ancient tradition claims that she discovered the True Cross. The Eastern Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Anglican Communion, and the Lutheran Church revere her as a saint.