Podcast Summary: Catholic Saints – St. Helena and the Finding of the True Cross of Christ
Augustine Institute | August 18, 2025
Host: Dr. Ben Akers
Guest: Dr. John Seehorn
Overview
In this engaging episode of the Catholic Saints podcast, Dr. Ben Akers and historian Dr. John Seehorn explore the extraordinary life of St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, and the epic quest that led her to discover the True Cross in Jerusalem. Weaving together history, legend, and spiritual insights, the discussion delves into early Christianity, imperial politics, and the profound legacy of the cross—both as an artifact and as a symbol in Christian life. The conversation is rich with historical context and applications for spiritual growth, inviting listeners to see the cross not just as an ancient relic, but as a lived reality.
Key Discussion Points
1. Who Was St. Helena?
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Little is known for certain about St. Helena's early life; tradition holds she came from humble or impoverished origins.
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She was the mother of Constantine the Great, who would become the first Christian emperor of Rome.
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The popular idea that Helena was of British origin is largely based on literary speculation, notably from Evelyn Waugh’s novel "Helena."
[01:00 — 02:55]Quote:
"Yeah, almost nothing, actually, Ben. The association with Britain probably comes from the fact that Constantius Chlorus...died on campaign in Britain...but we can go back maybe in Helen's life, Helena, same thing, and kind of come back to that time period... She does seem to have come from an impoverished background, a fairly obscure background."
– Dr. John Seehorn [02:06]
2. Helena’s Marriage, Constantine, and Christian Origins
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Helena was married to Constantius Chlorus who later cast her aside for political reasons.
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Early Christian historians like Eusebius suggest she was not initially Christian; Constantine himself brought her to the faith later in life.
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After Constantine’s rise in 306, he brought Helena out of obscurity to join the imperial court.
[02:55 — 05:09]Quote:
"According to Eusebius of Caesarea...it was Constantine himself who brought his mother to the faith."
– Dr. John Seehorn [03:55]
3. Constantine’s Ascendancy and Conversion
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The Battle at the Milvian Bridge (312 A.D.) was pivotal: Constantine reportedly received a divine sign—a vision of the Chi-Rho (☧) and the message "In this sign, conquer."
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Early accounts (Lactantius, Eusebius) differ on whether it was a vision or a dream and on the precise content of the message ("tuto nika" in Greek; "in hoc signo vinces" in Latin).
[05:09 — 09:45]Quote:
"In the earliest account we have...Constantine had a dream in which Christ instructed him to put this particular sign on his men’s shields...known as the key row symbol...the first two letters of Christ in Greek."
– Dr. John Seehorn [05:32] -
Constantine’s conversion was gradual—he was not baptized until his deathbed (337 A.D.), but became a great supporter of Christianity, issuing the Edict of Milan (313 A.D.) which legalized Christianity and ended persecutions.
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There were complexities in the religious landscape (cult of Sol Invictus, monotheistic tendencies in Roman religion).
Quote:
"His conversion to Christianity [can be seen] as a kind of gradual growth in his understanding. Certainly in 312, he understood that Christians worship one God..."
– Dr. John Seehorn [10:00]
4. Jerusalem and the Christian Holy Sites
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Following a series of Jewish revolts (66–73 A.D., Bar Kochba Revolt 132 A.D.), Jerusalem was destroyed, Jews expelled, and the city rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian as Aelia Capitolina, overlaying Christian and Jewish sacred sites with pagan temples.
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Despite this, local Christian traditions about the locations of Golgotha and the Tomb persisted, mentioned by early writers such as Melito of Sardis and Origen.
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Evidence suggests these sites were venerated even before Helena's time, and the faithful preserved knowledge of them despite Roman attempts to suppress them.
[13:38 — 22:48]Quote:
"He intentionally covered Jewish and Christian sites with new pagan structures of worship. And that included...Golgotha, where the Lord was crucified, which is right next to the tomb..."
– Dr. John Seehorn [18:46]
5. St. Helena’s Pilgrimage and Discovery
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Around 324 A.D., St. Helena travels to Jerusalem, using her imperial authority to tear down pagan temples and excavate the holy places.
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Despite easier options for new construction, Christians insisted on the authentic but more laborious site—evidence of an unbroken tradition.
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According to tradition, Helena unearthed three crosses, the titulus (the inscribed plaque), and other artifacts.
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Differing accounts tell how the True Cross was identified: by the titulus, by healing miracles when the crosses were touched to the sick or dead, or by community memory.
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The veneration of the Cross became central in Christian liturgy, especially in Jerusalem during Holy Week, and spread from there (origin of the Good Friday Adoration of the Cross).
[22:48 — 27:19]Quote:
"How do we know the Cross of Christ? We know the Cross of Christ because it is life-giving. The Cross of Christ, the instrument of his death, is life-giving..."
– Dr. John Seehorn [26:35]
6. The Legacy of St. Helena and the True Cross
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Relics from Helena’s discoveries were distributed: the True Cross and other items (nail, thorns, spear, titulus) were brought to Rome and enshrined at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, which was lined with dirt from the Holy Land.
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Helena provides an example of perseverance—making her pilgrimage in her 80s—and devotion, ensuring the legacy of the Cross for future generations.
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The discovery of the Cross is also paralleled to the personal search for meaning in suffering and the invitation to unite our own crosses to Christ’s.
Quote:
"Another thing that St. Helena does is she gives us an example of never giving up and persevering, because she was in her 80s when she went to the Holy Land...so that the world might see the cross and the world may know it."
– Dr. Ben Akers [28:45]Quote:
"The lesson is, the cross is going to come to our life. Suffering always comes to our life. But do we see as an opportunity to bear the cross with Christ?...when we find the cross we find Jesus and we find life."
– Dr. Ben Akers [29:45]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [02:06] Dr. John Seehorn: "Almost nothing, actually, Ben. The association with Britain..."
- [03:55] Dr. John Seehorn, on sources: “According to Eusebius...it was Constantine himself who brought his mother to the faith.”
- [05:32] Dr. John Seehorn describes the origins of the Chi-Rho vision.
- [11:19] Dr. John Seehorn reflects on gradual conversion: "...think about his conversion to Christianity as a kind of gradual growth in his understanding."
- [18:46] Dr. John Seehorn on Hadrian remaking Jerusalem: "...he intentionally covered Jewish and Christian sites with new pagan structures of worship..."
- [22:48] Dr. Ben Akers, on Helena’s excavation: “St. Helena goes to Jerusalem, has complete access to her son's treasury, and she decides to tear down these pagan temples...”
- [26:35] Dr. John Seehorn, on faith and the Cross: "How do we know the Cross of Christ? We know the Cross of Christ because it is life giving..."
- [29:45] Dr. Ben Akers, “...when we find the cross we find Jesus and we find life.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 00:00–02:06 | Introduction to St. Helena and context | | 02:06–05:09 | St. Helena’s origins, marriage, and conversion to Christianity | | 05:09–09:45 | Constantine’s vision, battle, and gradual conversion | | 09:45–13:38 | Edict of Milan, end of persecutions, the rapid shift for Christians | | 13:38–22:48 | The history of Jerusalem, Jewish revolts, Hadrian’s transformation of the city, preservation of sites | | 22:48–27:19 | Helena’s pilgrimage, excavations, finding the True Cross, and the growth of veneration | | 27:19–29:45 | Relics, Santa Croce in Rome; Helena’s example for Christians; applying the lesson of the Cross | | 29:45–End | Spiritual wrap-up: uniting our suffering with Christ |
Tone & Style
The conversation is lively, scholarly, and approachable, filled with stories, speculative historical discussion, and spiritual exhortation to apply the lessons of St. Helena’s discovery to the daily life of faith today.
Final Reflection
The journey of St. Helena is at once a thrilling historical adventure and a metaphor for every Christian’s path: rooting out the holy in the midst of the world’s ruins, persevering in search, and discovering life where the world sees only defeat. Her story, preserved in relics and liturgy, calls us to recognize and embrace the cross in our own lives, and, through it, to encounter Christ himself.