In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the memory of two great pillars of our faith: the Holy and Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine and his blessed mother, Saint Helen. In their lives, we see the providence of God unfolding in the history of the Church, for through them, the triumph of the Cross was made manifest to the whole world.
The Divine Call of Constantine
We recall the wondrous event that changed the course of history. As Constantine prepared for battle, God granted him a vision of the Cross shining in the heavens, accompanied by the words: “In this sign, conquer.” Obedient to the divine message, he placed the Cross upon his standard, and through its power, he was granted victory. This was not merely a political triumph but a sign that Christ had chosen this ruler to be an instrument of His divine will.
Constantine did not seek his own glory but was moved by the truth of Christ. By issuing the Edict of Milan, he ended the cruel persecutions against Christians and gave freedom to the Church. No longer would the faithful be driven into the catacombs or suffer at the hands of pagan emperors. Instead, the Church was able to emerge from darkness and flourish. Truly, this was a work of divine grace!
Saint Helen and the Finding of the True Cross
Yet, alongside Constantine, we must honor his holy mother, Saint Helen. With a heart inflamed by faith, she traveled to the sacred city of Jerusalem, seeking the instrument of our salvation—the precious and life-giving Cross of our Lord. Guided by divine wisdom, she uncovered it, and its power was revealed when a dead man was miraculously restored to life upon touching it.
Through her zeal, Saint Helen adorned the Holy Land with churches, marking the places of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. Her labors remind us that our faith is not a matter of words alone but must be manifest in action, in the building up of the Church, both physically and spiritually.
The Triumph of the Cross in Our Lives
Dear brothers and sisters, what lesson do we draw from these holy saints? We, too, are called to bear the Cross. Constantine bore it in battle, not with pride, but with faith in the One who overcame death. Helen bore it through her tireless devotion to Christ and His Church. We, too, must bear it in our daily struggles, knowing that through the Cross comes victory.
The world may tempt us with power, comfort, and fleeting glory, but these things pass away. Constantine and Helen remind us that the true kingdom is not of this world but is found in Christ, who reigns forever. When we face trials, let us remember the sign of the Cross and hear again those words: “In this sign, conquer.” Let us conquer sin through repentance, despair through faith, and fear through love.
Through the prayers of Saints Constantine and Helen, may Christ our God grant us the courage to follow Him, that we may share in the eternal victory of His glorious Kingdom.
Amen.
