Helena

Born around 246 in Drepanon, a city in Asia Minor later renamed in her honor, Helena came from humble origins. She became mother to Constantine the Great, who would transform the Roman Empire by legalizing and championing Christianity. Elevated to Augusta, she spent her final years on a religious journey through Syria Palaestina and Jerusalem. Ancient tradition credits her with unearthing the True Cross during that pilgrimage. The discovery secured her place in Christian history, and she was canonized by the Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.