Icon of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helena. King Constantine is associated with the introduction of Christianity as the official religion in Byzantium. Constantine the Great was the first Christian Roman emperor. With the consent of Emperor Constantine the Great - all religions are declared equal, Christianity is finally legalized. The proclamation of the equality of religions in the Roman Empire ended the persecution of Christians. Flavia Julia Helena, also known as Saint Helena, Helena Augusta and Helena of Constantinople, was the concubine of the Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus and mother of their son Emperor Constantine. It is traditionally believed that Elena tracked down Golgotha in Jerusalem, ordered excavations there, and discovered the Holy Sepulcher and the Holy Cross. According to legend, Elena entered the temple with Bishop Macarius and chose a place to begin excavations that led to the unearthing of 3 crosses, including the Holy Cross and the nails of the crucifixion. On the day of St. Helena and her son Emperor Constantine, dances are performed on embers (fireplace) in some places. According to some historians, this custom is related to pagan rituals preserved from the time of the Thracians, although the Nestinars play on the embers with the icon of St. Helena and St. Constantine.