![royal order of constantine royal order of constantine](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/fe/66/01fe66bf6e757d37ec796a11e727e9f9.jpg)
The Orthodox Church commemorates the Uncovering of the Precious Cross and the Precious Nails by the Holy Empress Helen on March 6.īecause of her great service to the Church and her efforts in finding the Life-Creating Cross, Empress Helen is called “the Equal of the Apostles.” On the following day, September 14, the festal celebration of the Exaltation of the Venerable and Life-Creating Cross was established. However, the church was consecrated on September 13, 335. She entered into the Eternal Kingdom in 327. Helen did not survive to see the dedication of this temple. The temple was constructed in about ten years. Helen continued to journey to the holy places connected with the earthly life of the Savior, building more than eighty churches – at Bethlehem at the birthplace of Christ on the Mount of Olives where the Lord ascended to Heaven and at Gethsemane where the Savior prayed before His sufferings and where the Mother of God was buried.Įmperor Constantine gave orders to build at Jerusalem a majestic and spacious church in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, also including under its roof the Life-Giving Tomb of the Lord and Golgotha. Helen gave the Life-Creating Cross to the Patriarch for safe-keeping, and took part of the wood and nails back to Constantinople. She also ordered that all places connected with the earthly life of the Lord and His All-Pure Mother be freed of all traces of paganism, and directed that churches be built at each of these places. Helen performed a variety of good works, including giving money to the poor. The Patriarch and other spiritual leaders raised up the Holy Cross, and the people, saying “Lord have mercy,” reverently prostrated themselves before the Venerable Wood. Macarius to elevate the Cross, so that even those far off might reverently contemplate it. Jude received the name Cyriacus and afterwards was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem.Ĭhristians came in huge throngs to venerate the Holy Cross, beseeching St. Elder Jude and other Jews came to believe in Christ and accepted Holy Baptism. Having beheld the raising of the dead, everyone was convinced that the Life-Creating Cross was found.ĭuring the discovery of the Life-Creating Cross, another miracle took place – a grievously sick woman, beneath the shadow of the Holy Cross, was healed instantly. When the dead man was touched by the True Cross of the Lord, the body came to life. Macarius alternately touched the crosses to a corpse. In order to determine the cross on which the Savior had been crucified, St. Not far from it were three crosses, a board with the inscription ordered by Pilate, and four nails which had pierced the Lord’s Body. Soon, the Tomb of the Lord was uncovered. After praying, the ground began to be excavated. Helen ordered that the pagan temple be demolished. However, in 326, she was directed to an elderly Hebrew named Jude who stated that the Cross was buried at the Temple of Venus. Searching for the Life-Creating Cross, she questioned both Christians and Jews, but her search remained unsuccessful. Helen was already in her declining years, she set about completing the task with enthusiasm. Macarius, Patriarch of Jerusalem.Īlthough St. He sent his mother, Helen, to Jerusalem, providing her with a letter to St. The emperor deeply revered the victory-bearing Sign of the Cross of the Lord, and wanted to find the actual Cross upon which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. After three hundred years of persecution, Christians could finally practice their faith without fear. In 323, when he became the sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire, he extended the provisions of the Edict of Milan to the Eastern half of the Empire. Helen, who was a Christian, may have influenced him in this decision. Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313 which guaranteed religious tolerance for Christians. After he became emperor, Constantine showed his mother great honor and respect, granting her the imperial title “Augusta.”Īfter St. Constantius divorced her in 294 in order to further his political ambitions by marrying a woman of noble rank. She married Constantius Chlorus, and their son Constantine was born in 274. Constantine the Great, and was born at Drepanum (Helenopolis) in Asia Minor to parents of humble means.