Helena was probably born in the middle of the third century, in the town of Drepanum in Asia Minor. Later, after her son had become Emperor, the town was renamed Helenopolis in her honor. Her life was often faced with family tragedy, yet she maintained her faith, and in the year 326, she began a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There she ordered the construction of the Basilicas of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. She prompted her son Constantine to build a Basilica over the sites where Jesus had died and risen from the dead. After clearing away the pagan edifices that had been built on the site, the workers began construction of the Basilica. Helena hoped to discover the relics of Christ’s Passion. Her faith was rewarded when the True Cross was discovered. The identity of the Cross was confirmed when a dead man laid on the wood was miraculously restored to life. For more information about Saint Helena please see https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/08/18/st---helena--empress.html