Difference between revisions of "Helen"

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Equal to the Apostles Empress Saint '''Helen''' (also ''Helena'' and ''Elena'') (AD c.248 - c.329) was the mother of Emperor Saint [[Constantine the Great]]. She was probably born in Drepanum (afterwards re-named Helenopolis) on the Gulf of [[Nicomedia]] and allegedly the daughter of an innkeeper. Later legend, mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth, claimed that she was a daughter of Briton King Coel, who married her off to Constantius Chlorus I to avoid more war between the Britons and [[Rome]].  Monmouth further states that she was brought up in the manner of a queen, as she had no brothers to inherit the throne of Britain.
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[[Image:Helen.jpg|right|frame|Empress St. Helen]]
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The holy and right-believing Empress '''Helen''' (also ''Helena'' and ''Elena''), Equal to the Apostles (c. 248 – c. 329), was the mother of Emperor Saint [[Constantine the Great]]. Her [[feast day]] is on [[May 21]], together with her son.
  
Constantius Chlorus divorced her (''circa'' 292) to marry the step-daughter of Maximian, Theodora. Helen's son, [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]] later became emperor of the Roman Empire, and following his elevation she became a presence at the imperial court.
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==Life==
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She was probably born in Drepanum (afterwards re-named ''Helenopolis'') on the Gulf of [[Nicomedia]] and allegedly the daughter of an innkeeper. Later legend, mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth, claimed that she was a daughter of Briton King Coel, who married her off to Constantius Chlorus I to avoid more war between the Britons and Rome.  Monmouth further states that she was brought up in the manner of a queen, as she had no brothers to inherit the throne of Britain.
  
She is also considered by the Church to be a [[saint]], and she is famed for her piety. [[Eusebius]] records the details of her [[pilgrimage]] to [[Palestine]] and other eastern provinces. She is traditionally credited with the finding of [[relic]]s of the [[cross]] of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]] (see [[True Cross]] for the story), and finding the remains of the [[Three Wise Men]], which currently reside in the [[Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral]]. Her feast day is on [[May 21]], together with her son.
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Constantius Chlorus divorced her (''circa'' 292) to marry the step-daughter of Maximian, Theodora. Helen's son Constantine later became emperor of the Roman Empire, and following his elevation she became a presence at the imperial court.
  
== External links ==
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She is considered by the Church to be a [[saint]], and is famed for her piety. [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] records the details of her [[pilgrimage]] to Palestine and other eastern provinces. She is traditionally credited with the finding of [[relics]] of the [[cross]] of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]], and with finding the remains of the [[Magi|Three Wise Men]], which currently reside in the [[Shrine]] of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral.
* [http://www.sthelenas-boerne.org/WhoStHelena.htm Who is Saint Helena?]
 
*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/helena.htm A more detailed bio of Helen based on historical sources]
 
  
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==See also==
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*[[True Cross]]
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*[[Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani - Hundred Doors (Paros)]]
  
[[Category:Emperors and Kings]]
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==External links==
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*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=62&lang=EN Constantine & Helen, Equal-to-the Apostles] ([[GOARCH]])
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*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101453 Equal of the Apostles Helen, the Mother of the Emperor Constantine] ([[OCA]])
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*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=May&day=21 Saint Constantine and Empress Helena] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')
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*[http://www.roman-emperors.org/helena.htm Helena Augusta (248/249-328/329 A.D.)]
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*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/h/bmp01.htm Icon and Kontakion of St. Helen]
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[[Category:Rulers]]
 
[[Category:Saints]]
 
[[Category:Saints]]
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[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]
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[[Category:4th-century saints]]
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[[ar:قسطنطين وهيلانة]]
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[[pt:Helena, a Imperatriz]]
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[[ro:Elena]]

Latest revision as of 18:47, May 20, 2023

Empress St. Helen

The holy and right-believing Empress Helen (also Helena and Elena), Equal to the Apostles (c. 248 – c. 329), was the mother of Emperor Saint Constantine the Great. Her feast day is on May 21, together with her son.

Life

She was probably born in Drepanum (afterwards re-named Helenopolis) on the Gulf of Nicomedia and allegedly the daughter of an innkeeper. Later legend, mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth, claimed that she was a daughter of Briton King Coel, who married her off to Constantius Chlorus I to avoid more war between the Britons and Rome. Monmouth further states that she was brought up in the manner of a queen, as she had no brothers to inherit the throne of Britain.

Constantius Chlorus divorced her (circa 292) to marry the step-daughter of Maximian, Theodora. Helen's son Constantine later became emperor of the Roman Empire, and following his elevation she became a presence at the imperial court.

She is considered by the Church to be a saint, and is famed for her piety. Eusebius of Caesarea records the details of her pilgrimage to Palestine and other eastern provinces. She is traditionally credited with the finding of relics of the cross of Christ, and with finding the remains of the Three Wise Men, which currently reside in the Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral.

See also

External links