Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: St. Helena

The history of Opole dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries. The territory is politically disputed. Around 990 Silesia, together with the territory of Opole, was annexed by Mieszko I to the Polish state. In 1039 Břetislav I reconquered the territory for eleven years, after which Opole reverted to Bohemia. In 1050, Casimir I reconquered Silesia. It became a Polish duchy in 1172 and received city rights from Duke Casimir I of Opole in 1217. Opole was a center of trade. Several trade routes crossed here, which helped to make profits from transit trade. After the death of King Ludvík II Silesia was inherited by Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, placing Opole under the sovereignty of the Habsburg monarchy of Austria. The Habsburgs took control of the region in 1532 but pawned the duchy to different rulers including several monarchs of Poland. In 1615, a fire destroyed all the houses within the city walls. After the Swedish invasion of Poland, in 1655 John II Casimir Vasa stayed with his court here. In November of that year, the "Uniwersał opolski" was issued here by the King, calling for Poles to rise against the Swedes. After 1668 the region passed again to the control of the Habsburgs. Frederick II of Prussia conquered most of Silesia from Austria in 1740 during the Silesian Wars. Under Prussian rule, the ethnic structure of the city began to change and a kind of "Germanization" set in. Nevertheless, Opole remained an important cultural, social and political center for the Poles in Upper Silesia. In the course of German unification in 1871, Opole became part of the German Empire. After WWI, a referendum was held with the result that Silesia remained part of the German Reich. After the end of WWII in 1945, Oppeln was transferred from Germany to Poland and the name changed from Oppeln to Opole. According to tradition, the first wooden church was built on this site as early as 1002. In 1024 the Bishop of Wroclaw donated to the church a relic of the Holy Cross, which he is said to have received from St. Emmerich, the son of the King of Hungary. Between 1254 and 1295 a new large stone church was built. In 1415, lightning struck the nave and destroyed the entire church by fire. Only a small part of the relic of the Holy Cross was preserved. Due to lack of money, the reconstruction took more than 100 years. During the reconstruction works, the church was again destroyed by fire. It was not until 1520 that the new building was completed. The cathedral is a three-nave hall church in the Gothic style and has been preserved in large parts although it had become a ruin after the 30-year war. There are 27 epitaphs in the Cathedral. Here is an epitaph from 1630 made of polychrome (gilded) sandstone. It was donated by George Skopek, the canon of the church. There are four scenes. At the bottom, you can see Jesus on the cross and St. Lutgard - Georg Skopek himself kneels on the other side of the cross. Above this scene is depicted the fight of St. George with the dragon. The largest of the scenes, the third from the bottom, on the other hand, shows the Adoration of the Magi. Playing the roles of the Three Kings are Balthasar, George and Helene Skopek. They are accompanied by St. Helena (with the Cross). At the very top of the epitaph is a scene dedicated to the Holy Trinity with the inscription: "Holy Trinity, have mercy on us."

The "Scala Santa" (Holy Stairs), a set of 28 steps, brought to Rome about 326 by St. Helena, and - following the tradition - the steps of Pontius Pilate on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial, lead to the "Sancta Sanctorum" (Holy of Holies), once the personal chapel of the Popes, who resided here. It is the only part of the old Lateran palace that was not destroyed. This chapel housed an immense collection of relics. Seen on the altar is an "acheiropoieton", an image "made without hands". The legend is, that the icon, called "Uronica", was begun by St Luke and finished by angels. www.scala-santa.it/

The "Scala Santa" (Holy Stairs) are a set of 28 steps, encased in a protective framework of wooden steps. The stairs lead to the "Sancta Sanctorum" (Holy of Holies), once the personal chapel of the Popes, who resided here. Legends claim that the "Scala Santa" were brought to Rome about 326 by St. Helena, mother of Constantine I. In medieval times, they were known as "Scala Pilati", as according to the tradition, they are the steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ stepped on his way to trial. The "Scala Sancta" may only be ascended on the knees. For common use, the staircase is flanked by additional staircases, on each side. Many pilgrims climb up the "Scala Sancta" on their knees, as in the Catholic Church, an indulgence has been granted for climbing the stairs on the knees. www.scala-santa.it