Constantine the Great, the inaugural Christian Emperor of Rome and the architect behind the establishment of Constantinople, stands as one of the most consequential leaders in Roman history. It was under Constantine's reign that Christianity ascended to the status of the official state religion of the Roman Empire, propelling it from the periphery to a central position it has maintained for over twenty centuries.

Helena, the consort of Constantius Chlorus and mother to Constantine the Great, played a pivotal role in the emperor's reign. By 324, Constantine had consolidated his rule over the entirety of the Empire. Two years later, he entrusted Helena with a sacred mission to the Holy Land, tasking her with locating relics amidst the ancient ruins. In a momentous discovery, Helena unearthed the True Cross of Jesus Christ beneath the remnants of a Roman temple. This discovery led to the establishment of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the site, solidifying Helena's place in history.