The life of St. Helena is reminiscent of the tale of Cinderella. The future queen of Constantinople came from a simple family, her father owned a "caisson yard" - the prototype of a modern hotel. One day, a nobleman passing by noticed a beautiful but modest girl and asked her to become his wife. Elena reciprocated Constance. Soon the couple had a son named Konstantin. In the III-IV centuries, when Elena lived, the emperor Diocletian ruled, dividing the Roman Empire into parts, one of which passed to Constance.
But Constance needed a political alliance to strengthen his position. The man decided to marry again Theodora, the stepdaughter of Emperor Maximin, the predecessor of Diocletian. Elena was sent away from the imperial court for a long 15 years.
Elena did not lose heart, she was a Christian and accepted any sorrow from the Lord with thanksgiving. The link ended after the death of her husband. The title was inherited by Elena's son, Konstantin, and he returned his mother to the court. The Romans fell in love with the queen for her good disposition and chastity. The Church remembers St. Helena Equal to the Apostles in the spring - March 19 andsummer - 3 June. The Orthodox queen is known for her pilgrimage to Palestine, where she found the Life-Giving Cross, on which Jesus Christ was crucified. They call Elena Equal-to-the-Apostles, because under her the Roman Empire stopped the persecution of Christians and lit up with the light of Orthodoxy.
Finding the Life-Giving Cross
The cross, which served as an instrument for the salvation of mankind, was covered with earth along with the place of execution. Instead of Golgotha, pagan temples now rose. Emperor Constantine, raised by a Christian mother, really wanted to find a shrine. Elena went to Jerusalem, armed with a letter to the Patriarch of Jerusalem Macarius, the emperor himself could not leave the throne even for a short time. The queen commanded to destroy the idols and cleanse Golgotha.
After praying, they began excavations and soon discovered three crosses. To find the right one, the Patriarch applied them all in turn to the deceased. As soon as the cross of the Savior was laid on the deceased, he came to life. The church celebrates this significant event in the spring, on March 19.
Prayer to Saint Helena
The queen endured many sorrows in her life, was in exile, survived treason. But she kept her faith in difficult circumstances. Therefore, the mourners and the unfortunate turn to her. And they will definitely be helped by a prayer to St. Helena, sounding like this:
O O Predivnii and all-glorious Tsar, Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen! To you, a warm intercessor, we offer up our unworthy prayers, as if you have great boldness to the Lord. Ask Him for the peace of the Church and the whole world for prosperity, wisdom for rulers, care for the flock for pastors, humility for the flock, longed-for repose for the elders, strength for men, splendor for wives, purity for virgins, obedience to children, Christian upbringing for infants, healing for the sick, reconciliation for the opposing, offended patience, offending the fear of God. To those who come to this temple and pray in it, a holy blessing and to everyone who is useful at every request, let us praise and sing the Benefactor of all God in the Trinity of the glorious Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.
When a person despairs, you need to read a prayer to St. Helena. What helps the Orthodox queen:
- in promotion;
- in a political career;
- in improving welfare;
- in conflict resolution;
- in strengthening in the Orthodox faith.
