A Brief History
On September 14, 326 A.D., Helena of Constantinople made one of the greatest discoveries in Christian history when she found the Holy Sepulchre (the crypt where Jesus was entombed) and the True Cross in Jerusalem.
Digging Deeper
Helena, also known as St. Helen, was the mother of Constantine the Great, emperor of Rome. In that capacity, she was awarded the title “Augusta Imperatrix.” She is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, both branches of the Orthodox Church and the Lutheran and Anglican Churches. Her son Constantine became the first Christian emperor of Rome and was the namesake of Constantinople which is now Istanbul.
While on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands (then called Syria Palestina), her son sent her on a mission in search of holy relics. Helena had a pagan temple torn down that had been built over the tomb of Jesus, and during excavation, the crypt (the Holy Sepulchre) and 3 crosses were found. To test the authenticity of the crosses, Helena had a dying woman touch them. Touching the first 2 crosses did nothing but upon touching the third cross, the woman began to miraculously recover. Thus, Helena knew she had found the True Cross.
In the name of her son, Helena ordered a church be built over the Holy Sepulchre. She then returned to Rome with the major parts of the True Cross and the nails from the crucifixion of Christ. It is said that she had one of the nails placed in the Constantine’s helmet and another in the bridle of his horse, both for his protection. (The pieces of the True Cross are still in Rome and are tended to by monks.)
Various relics, including purported pieces of the True Cross, recovered by Helena are being kept in churches all around the Mediterranean. Of course, the cross would have been as huge as a forest if all those pieces as well as the slivers of wood that have been sold to Christian pilgrims over the centuries all truly came from it.
Helena died in around 330 A.D., aged about 80 and was buried in the appropriately named Mausoleum of Helena just outside of Rome.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre still stands in Jerusalem and can be visited by pilgrims. You can actually walk down into the tomb of Christ, but you have to pay a long-bearded priest at the top to enter and another one inside. Nearby there is a hole in the ground that is supposed to be where the base of the True Cross had been placed.
Question for students (and subscribers): Did Helena actually find the real Cross of the Crucifixion and the actual crypt where the body of Jesus Christ was laid or did she get tricked by local charlatans looking to make a few shekels? Like all things religious, whether you believe it or not is a matter of faith, and debate will certainly not provide satisfactory resolutions. Still, feel free to express your opinion of these events in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Wohl, Louis de. Saint Helena and the True Cross. Ignatius Press, 2012.
Wohl, Louis de. The Living Wood: A Novel about Saint Helena and the Emperor Constantine. Ignatius Press, 2008.
The featured image in this article, a painting of Saint Helena with the Cross by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553), is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain for the following reason: The author died in 1553, so this work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 100 years or fewer. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1926.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="4899 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=4899">53 Comments
Interesting article! I honestly, don’t know what to think about this. It seems kind of far-fetched, so yeah…
Wow..I am shocked. Seems wishy-washy, but I guess it could have happened.
I agree seems a little wishy-washy
Very interesting! I am very hesitant to believe she actually found those things but you never know it could have happened!
What a miraculous find… if it is true! — DAVID WARDLE
I feel like people believe in some of the most outrageous things. I am not buying the details, but it is an interesting account that is worth considering in some manner (fact or fiction).
It’s a cute story but it seems extremely far-fetched. Probably a way to further promote her son and is role.
I agree with everyone it does seem a little sketchy to believe she found the things she did but I mean I was also not there so I can’t really say anything
How did she really know that it was the place where Christ was buried? i kind of find it hard to believe
I’m surprised that I have never heard this story after growing up in a Catholic Church. It is an interesting story; however, it’s also very far fetched. If the scene where she found the three crosses was where Jesus’s crucifixion actually took place, then it makes sense for the woman to start healing as she touched the third cross. From a religious stand point.. the Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways. Maybe it really was the real thing… Maybe not… Either way, very interesting story!!
I have never heard of this story, it is interesting. There is no way to really ever know if any of this story is real when it comes to a facts stand point, but if you do believe in it you must have faith.
I have never heard this story but I found the part about paying off the long bearded priest quite comical.
I did not know about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre but after reading this, I would love to visit it!
This story is interesting but not very believable. It would be amazing if there really were crosses that healed sick people just by the touch
I for some reason have a certain amount of trust in what Helena found. While she could have been acting out of her own self-interests, I tend to doubt that. Judging by the reaction of the people to her discovery, they seem to believe what she is saying. Since there is no solid evidence from either side of the argument, I have to say that I agree with Helen and her discovery.
I am always a bit skeptical when it comes to religious artifacts being found. There is no one that documented if this was indeed “the cross” so how is anyone certain of this?
I think it is amazing that the True Cross healed the dying woman. I firmly believe Helena found Jesus’ cross and I have heard of pieces of the cross being encased in the alters of churches so the priests can kiss it as they prepare the gifts.
This would be an interesting trip to make, regardless of faith. From a historical sense it would be hard to prove that is in fact “the cross.”
I am always very skeptical about “relics” in the history of Christianity. It’s like the shroud of Jesus that was found and people have tried to re-create exactly how Jesus was laying in the tomb when he died. I don’t know if I necessarily believe that it is exactly the true cross but who knows maybe someone could prove it.
I am generally skeptical on the issue of relics, but something else I do have to wonder about is how one would incorporate what is traditionally viewed as a very large nail into a helmet or the bridle of a horse..
Miracles are one of the few supernatural phenomenon I actually believe in. Stories like this tend to enhance my belief in them
It would be interesting to find out if the cross was truly the cross that hung Jesus from it. That would certainly be a great find.
I think she did find the cross, I like hearing about the miracles, it is a shame though, that they would turn it into something that made money.
Honestly, I believe she did find the cross that they hung Jesus from and I also dislike that they turned it into a money making scheme. Miracles are something that always strengthen my faith and I love hearing about them!
I really dislike that you have to pay to go see this spot. I could see maybe donate if you can. since I really feel she did find the cross of Jesus.
I am slightly skeptical on whether it really is the cross Jesus died on, but still you shouldn’t have to pay to see it if it is real.
She was sent on a mission and found what she was looking for. I do not know if it was actually the cross (I tend to believe it was not) but it’s a shame that people are making money off it. What would Jesus do? Also, it’s too bad that more people can’t be healed by the cross.
Everyone brought up some great points in the comment section, great work!
I would like to believe that she found what she was looking for!
I didnt know that The Church of the Holy Sepulchre still stands in Jerusalem
Still around today, huh?
I doubt that the religious artifact was actually discovered. It is highly unlikely she went out to discover the thing she was working for.
As many others are saying it is hard to believe that it is the actual cross Jesus died on. However I feel even if it is the actual cross people should not have to pay to see it. Jesus would not want people to pay to see where he sacrificed his life, that is almost like having to pay to go visit your dead grandparents grave, it is wrong but sadly it is our society.
it sucks you have to pay to see this spot now! You should not have to pay to see this artifact if it is fake or not. It is a part of history.
I would definitely visit this spot! is sounds cool whether it is fake or not
Whether it is real or not, it is a part of history and a part of the story of Christ, so I would visit it given the opportunity. Given that it may truly be a holy site for some people it is incredibly unfortunate that people have to pay to see these artifacts.
I would visit this place any day. It sounds very interesting even if it is fake or not.
I think it sounds pretty scammy to charge people to see this and it possibly being fake with no way to prove otherwise.
Very interesting although i believe its a scam.
This is an interesting article, something I would visit given the opportunity! I love ancient artifacts and exploring history. I also believe in healing powers so great read for me!
I believe this to be a scam. This is still a very cool artifact that I would love to visit someday.
I think that Helena got scammed. Many people in the world try to make a quick dollar and will tell you whatever you want to hear to get that money.
I have a hard time believing in relics, mostly because of the unreasonable number of them.
I think a lot of these were a scam based upon the high volume of relics.
These videos really helped out the article!
It is hard to say whether or not that relics are real. This is because there will always be uncertainty with any topic.
the videos really helped me put the pieces together of the article
I agree, there is no way every relic is real, It would be interesting to see how many are real, and how many are fake.
To many false relics out today, takes so much study to see if one is authentic!
Its crazy to think all of these rare items are out there
The video was really helpful.
It would be interesting to see how many of the relics are actually real.
she probably meant well but christians are not supposed to give importance or attention to relics like nails and stuff that could be considered idols. They are only suppose to praise and give attention to god