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Zev Radovan/www.biblelandpictures.com

POWERFUL PATRONESSES. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great (pictured here with her son), and Eudocia, the wife of Theodosius II, each left her mark on Jerusalem. These two empresses—both separated from their powerful husbands—found solace in their faith and journeyed to the Holy Land as pilgrims. Founding several churches and identifying numerous holy sites, they reinforced the belief that Byzantine Jerusalem was foremost a Christian city. Helena visited Jerusalem in 326/7 at the spry age of 80, according to Eusebius of Caesarea. She is credited with locating the tomb of Jesus and finding the True Cross.