Helena - Mother of Constantine
Helena was the mother of the Emperor Constantine, who, upon her conversion to Christianity, went to the Holy Land where she is credited by some with having discovered the True Cross.
St. Helena was the influential mother of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great.
From De Imperatoribus Romanis, a biography of Constantine's mother, Flavia Iulia Helena. Helena's origins are obscure and we don't know whether she was originally Christian, but she did convert and made a trip to Palestine and the East where she is credited with, but probably did not discover the Cross.
From the Feminae Romanae site. Illustrated, including both sides of a coin with Helena's image. Explains why we think she came from humble origins in Bithynia instead of being the daughter of a British king. Also explains her sudden rise from obscurity when her son Constantine became Caesar.
Lives of the Saints version of Constantine's mother's life. Attributes Helena's Christianity to her son's conversion after which she had shrines and churches built.
Saint Helen of Caernarvon or Elen Luyddog was a legendary Welsh princess who is sometimes confused with Constantine's mother because they were both mothers of Constantines.
