Elena It was dedicated to his eldest grandson, Crispus Caesar, whom Constantine made titular ruler of Gaul, but a mysterious intrigue in the imperial family culminated in the execution of Crispus and Fausta, Constantine’s second wife and Crispus’ stepmother.
From then on, the story became popular that Fausta had accused Crispus of trying to seduce her, hence the execution of Crispus in 326. Fausta, in turn, was denounced by the afflicted Elena and was executed shortly after. The historicity of that explanation remains questionable.
Immediately after the double tragedy, Elena made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He had churches built at the reputed sites of the Nativity of Christ (in Bethlehem) and the Ascension (near Jerusalem).
Before 337 it was claimed in Jerusalem that the cross of Christ had been found during the construction of the church of Constantine on Golgotha, under a temple of Venus that had been demolished at that site. Later that century, Elena was credited with the discovery.
Later many legends arose and the story of the “invention”, or the finding of the cross, was enhanced by romances and confusion with other Elenas. The story was told again in the poem Elene of Cynewulf, in the 9th century. Elena is considered a saint by the Orthodox and Catholics, famous for her piety.