Icon of St. Helena: meaning, what it helps with

Only a small minority of Christian ascetics have been awarded the title of Equal-to-the-Apostles. As a rule, we are talking about those saints who appeared on earth after the life of Christ in the flesh, that is, they could not have been appointed apostles by the Savior Himself. Nevertheless, the deeds of these people were extremely important for the Church, and therefore they received the title of Equal-to-the-Apostles, that is, equal to the apostles themselves.

The icon of Helen, the Queen of Constantinople, belongs to these saints and is discussed here. It was during her reign that Christianity ceased to be persecuted and became a permitted religion in the Roman Empire.

The history of Helen Equal to the Apostles and the appearance of the icon

Saint Helena was born in Bethany, a relatively small town in Asia Minor, which was reached by the Roman Empire. Thanks to this, the girl managed to fall in love with a Roman soldier (named Constantius Chlorus) at a young age and give birth to his son Constantine.

In time, her husband was offered the important post of governor of the Roman territories, but to do so he had to renounce his current marriage and become engaged to the emperor's daughter. Constantius agreed and eventually became the ruler of the western territories of the Roman Empire. This title was inherited by his son Constantine, who also became a warrior.

Constantine eventually comes into conflict with Maximilian, the ruler of the eastern territories, and becomes the ruler of the empire. It was by his decree that Christianity was legalized.

He then turns to his own mother with a request to become empress. That is why the icon of St. Helena and the icon of St. Constantine are often combined. They are also venerated on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The icon often depicts Queen Helena with a found cross that had lain in the ground for more than three hundred years. It is because of these virtues that the Queen is highly revered.

Second prayer to Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Constantine and Queen Helena

About Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen! Deliver this parish and our temple from every slander of the enemy and do not abandon us, the weak (names), through your intercession, beg the goodness of Christ our God to grant us peace of mind, abstinence from destructive passions and all filth, and unfeigned piety. Ask us, pleasers of God, from above for the spirit of meekness and humility, the spirit of patience and repentance, so that we may live the rest of our life in faith and contrition of heart, and so at the hour of our death we will gratefully praise the Lord who glorified you, the Father Without Beginning, His Only Begotten Son and the Consubstantial All-Blessed One. Spirit, the Indivisible Trinity, forever and ever. Amen.

Finding the Cross

Elena and Constantine did a lot of good for Christianity, so the icon of these rulers is a symbol of selfless devotion to the faith. They used their position only to spread the faith and do works pleasing to the Lord.

In her old age, the queen went to Jerusalem, which at that time (IV century) was under the rule of the pagans. There was a temple of a pagan goddess where the Savior was crucified. The queen ordered the temple to be demolished, and the same three crosses were found underneath it.

The new temple was consecrated by Bishop Macarius, who, seeing the cross of the Lord, ordered it to be placed on the body of the deceased, with whom a procession was passing nearby. Those present witnessed the miracle of the resurrection.

History of the icon

Equal to the Apostles are saints who have committed acts of spreading the faith comparable to those done by Christ’s direct disciples—the apostles. In the history of Christianity, there are several women who deserve veneration in this rank, among them St. Elena.

Read about other saints equal to the apostles:

Life of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Cosmas of Aetolia
Icon of Saint Cyril Equal to the Apostles
Relics of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

Icon of Saint Helen of the Apostles

What do we know about her life?

The saint was born in III in the city of Drepana, now a small town of Hersek in Turkey.
She was the daughter of a horse station caretaker and knew well what the life of a common person was like.
In 270, Elena met the ruler of the Western part of the Roman Empire, Constantius Chlorus, and became his wife. It was in this marriage that Constantine the Great was born, who later became the first Christian emperor.
Constantine, having become emperor, elevated his mother, whom he greatly respected, to the dignity of Augusta (queen), making her actually his co-ruler.

Interesting fact!
Saint Helena came to faith at the age of 60 under the influence of her son. And she made her famous pilgrimage to Jerusalem at the age of 80. Elena undertook a trip to Jerusalem after a vision in a dream in which she was commanded to find the greatest Christian shrines on Calvary. After excavations, the Cross of the Lord, nails and a tablet with the inscription: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” were found. In addition, the burial cave of Jesus Christ was discovered.

What does the icon of St. Helena help with?

The meaning of this icon is very great; it symbolizes perseverance and faith.

The Queen was one of the first women to be canonized.

Princess Olga adopted her name at baptism.

On the icon, Saint Helena is most often depicted with a large or small cross. Background - Jerusalem or plain background. Stamps framed with icons of Helen and Constantine are also popular.

Most often, this image helps in solving various material issues, prayers for rulers, or some political needs. However, believers can turn to these images for other needs.

How can prayer help?

The Roman queen is the patroness of the church clergy, the people who build temples and do charity work.

The prayer to Saint Helena Equal to the Apostles helps believers in the following:

acquire and strengthen faith;
raise children;
to bring reason to non-believers and sectarians;
gain strength to fight and recover;
make a choice;
improve financial condition;
successfully start a new business;
advance in career;
get success in your political career.

All who pray before the icon of Helen will find help and salvation. She teaches to carry the Lord's affairs and honor the Most High. The prayer to Saint Helena is used by people whose work is connected with the earth. It helps to get an excellent harvest, which will increase the income of farmers.

The saint also patronizes the family and everything connected with it. They appeal to Elena to maintain peace between the spouses, to revive love, and to gain mutual understanding. There are many reviews about the gift of children after turning to the queen. Her great help is also in matters related to health, both physical and spiritual.

Other personalized icons of Elena

Pay attention to other ascetics with the same names, in particular:

Elena of Serbia - the icon is dedicated to the mother of two Orthodox rulers, Saints Stephen and Dragutin, she led pious activities and helped many people, building shelters, churches, etc.
Elena Diveevskaya - the icon depicts an Orthodox saint, whom Seraphim of Sarov himself blessed to become a nun, this girl at a young age experienced a vision and rejected secular entertainment, becoming completely pleasing to the Lord, her relics remain immortal and continue to perform various miracles, helping believers.

Helen's name day according to the church calendar: the martyrs Helen and Elpidia are celebrated on January 28. However, the veneration accorded to these martyrs is not universal. They are among the many ascetics whose memory has been lost.

Prayers

Troparion to the Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Constantine and Queen Helena, tone 8

You saw your image of the Cross in heaven, and like Paul you did not receive the title from men, your apostle among kings, Lord, in your hand is your kingdom; keep him always in peace with the prayers of the Mother of God, one man and one woman.

Kontakion of Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Constantine and Queen Helena, tone 3

Constantine today with his mother Helen proclaim the Cross, the venerable tree, for they are a shame for all Jews and a weapon against hostile believers: for us it has become a great and formidable sign in battles.

First prayer to Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Constantine and Queen Helena

O most perfect and most precious kings, most holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen! To you, ardent intercessors, we offer our unworthy prayers, for you have great courage before the Lord. Ask Him for peace for the Church and prosperity for the whole world. To the ruler - wisdom; to the shepherd - caring for the flock; to shepherds - humility; to the old man - a welcome rest; to the husband - strength; to the wife - beauty; deve—chastity; children - obedience; Christian education for babies; for the sick - healing; to enemies - reconciliation; to the wounded - patience; having the fear of God. To all who come to this church and pray in it, a holy blessing, and to all who ask, may it be beneficial that we glorify and glorify the Benefactor of all God in the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages . Amen.

Merits of the queen

Helen was the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. These are some of the most outstanding personalities whom the Orthodox Church canonized as equal to the apostles.

The mother was able to convert her son to Christianity. As a result, he gradually attracted the entire Roman people to this faith.
The erection of the Honest Cross - Elena and Konstantin were able to find the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The search took a long time, but was crowned with success. Three crosses were found and doubts arose as to which one was the one being sought. But near one there was a miraculous healing of a seriously ill woman and the resurrection of the deceased. After this, the queen brought one part of the shrine to her son, and left the second in Jerusalem. The divine power of Christ remained on him forever. The cross began to be called Life-Giving. Many other miracles happened near him.
Construction of iconic churches for the Orthodox world: the Resurrection of the Lord on Golgotha; on the Mount of Olives, where the Ascension of the Lord took place; in Bethlehem - the birthplace of the Messiah; in Hebron, where God appeared to Abraham.

Elena also helped believers return relics and shrines to their churches. She became a great Christian example of how to live in the name of the Almighty.

The memory of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen is celebrated on March 19 and June 3. Her relics are kept in Paris, where they were transported in the 10th century. Before this, the incorruptible remains were in the mausoleum that her son Konstantin built for himself.

Saint icon

Elena has long been depicted on icons as a woman who strengthened the Christian faith. In the canonized image she is depicted together with her son. The persons hold a cross with one hand. The symbolism of the image is as follows:

support for Christianity;
revival of faith;
a sign that she will exist forever.

The people depicted on the icon had great spiritual culture, and the image itself became miraculous. Thousands of Christians still turn to him today.

There are also faces in which the queen herself is depicted against the backdrop of Jerusalem. She stands near the monumental Cross of the Lord and directs her gaze to Heaven. On early Byzantine icons you can see the saint holding a medallion with a cross inscribed on it.

How can prayer help?

The Roman queen is the patroness of the church clergy, the people who build temples and do charity work.

The prayer to Saint Helena Equal to the Apostles helps believers in the following:

acquire and strengthen faith;
raise children;
to bring reason to non-believers and sectarians;
gain strength to fight and recover;
make a choice;
improve financial condition;
successfully start a new business;
advance in career;
get success in your political career.

Rules of prayer

You can pray in church and at home. For this purpose, it is advisable to purchase an icon with the face of a saint. If there is none, you can cry for help in front of those images that are in the red corner.

You are allowed to add your own words to the appeal. The main thing is that they come from the heart, and not repeat mechanically, with memorized phrases. You need to have strong and unshakable faith. It must be approached with pure and sincere intentions. Otherwise, you shouldn’t count on support.

If a person prays with the goal of improving relations, then he must simultaneously ask for help from Elena and Konstantin.

When asking for health, it is important not just to express your desire, but to pray. Then a person will have the opportunity to turn away all troubles and bad forces.

Often a prayer to Saint Helen is said near her relics. Then it has a more effective result.

Sacred text of the address

The prayer to the Roman queen contains the following words:

About the wonderful and all-praised king, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen! To you, as a warm intercessor, we offer our unworthy prayers, for you have great boldness towards the Lord.

Ask Him for the peace of the Church and prosperity for the whole world, wisdom for the ruler, care for the flock for the shepherd, humility for the flock, desired peace for the elders, strength for husbands, beauty for women, purity for virgins, obedience for children, Christian education for babies, healing for the sick, reconciliation for those at war, patience for the offended, those who offend the fear of God.

To those who come to this temple and pray in it, a holy blessing and everything useful for each request, let us praise and sing the Benefactor of all God in the Trinity of the glorified Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

When praying, it is important to always remember that only a deed aimed at good will have the desired result. It is important to increase your faith and share it with others.

Source: https://duhmaga.ru/molitva/elene-ravnoapostolnoj.html