Saint Helena of Troyes

Helena Hélène Virgin from the East whose relics were transported to Troyes. , according to this account, was born in the small tow n of Na Naturas Presumed birthplace of Saint Helena. turas, not far from the sea of Constantinople. The King of Corinth was her father; the local bishop had given her the name Helena at her baptism. She devoted herself early to piety, and God rewarded her love and fervor with the gift of miracles. She performed very many during her life, and her relics performed quite remarkable ones after their arrival in Troyes. The young girl performed her first miracle at twelve years old. One day, a beggar woman approached her near a fountain and asked for alms. Helena asked her to offer her a drink from the wooden vase she held in her hand, and when, after drinking, she returned it to her, this vase had become a silver vase. Several times, the simple touch of her veil healed the sick and procured for sinners a deep contrition for their faults. The year of her death is unknown. It was in 1211 that the cult of Saint Helena was authorized in the diocese of Troyes. There are authors who have claimed that this Saint Helena was the same as the Empress Helena, mother of the great Constantine, but nothing is less probable. The magnificent reliquary in which the body of Saint Helena was enclosed was broken during the Revolution and the relics delivered to the flames. A few remains were saved and placed in the reliquary of Saint Mathie, also a patroness of the diocese, and the two feasts are now celebrated on the same day. In the 14th century, it was forbidden to work in the fields on the day of the feast of Saint Helena. At the same period, the bishop was required to keep a candle lit day and night before the tomb of the virgin who came from the shores beloved by the sun.

On May 4, 1538, the presence of the Saint's body was enough to suddenly stop the ravages of a formidable fire that threatened to destroy the entire city of Troyes. ville de Troyes Episcopal see of Manasses.

The relics of the virgin Saint Helena were recognized at the Cathedral of Troyes on April 24, 1521: there are fragments of them in several parishes of the diocese.

The Church of Auxerre celebrated her feast day from 1600 to 1728.

In Rome, Saint PIUS V, Po saint PIE V, pape Pope of the Order of Preachers mentioned in the martyrology. pe, of the Order of Preachers, who applied himself with as much success as courage to restoring ecclesiastical discipline, rooting out heresies, and subduing the enemies of the Christian name, and who governed the Catholic Church as much by his holy life as by his holy laws. 1572. — Also in Rome, Saint Crescentiana, martyr. — In the same place, Saint Silvanus, martyr. — In Alexandria, Saint Euthymius, deacon: imprisoned for Jesus Christ, he fell asleep peacefully in the Lord there. — In Thessalonica, the feast of the holy martyrs Irenaeus, Peregrinus, and Irene, consumed in the flames. — In Auxerre, the martyrdom of Saint Jovinian, reader. — In Alicata, in Sicily, Saint ANGELUS, priest, of the Carmelite Order, who was massacred by heretics for the defense of the Catholic faith. Circa 1225. — In Jerusalem, Saint Maximus, bishop and confessor, whom Maximian Galerius Caesar had condemned to the mines, after having one of his eyes gouged out and one of his feet burned with a hot iron, 350. — In Edessa, in Syria, Saint EULOGIUS, bishop and confessor. After 381. — In Arles, in Gaul, Saint HILARY, bishop, illustrious for his learning and his holiness. 449. — In Vienne, Saint Nicet or Nixier, bishop, a personage venerated for his great holiness. 392-395. — In Bologna, Saint Theodore, bishop, of brilliant merit. Circa 540. — On the same day, Saint Sacerdos or Serdon, bishop of Saguntum, today Murviedro. Circa 530. — In Milan, Saint Gerontius, bishop. 470. — In the saint Augustin Father of the Church and spiritual master of Possidius. same place, the conversion of Saint Aug ustine, bishop saint Ambroise Father of the Church cited for a maxim on strength. and Doctor of the Church, to whom Saint Ambrose made known the Catholic truth, and whom he baptized on this day. 387.