Re- enacting Queen Helena’s search for the Cross

IT’S the month of May, with Santacruzan— loosely translated as Festival of the Holy Cross— clear on the country’s festival screens, described by some as a sort of religio-historical beauty pageant.

It is held in many Christian communities, from Batanes down to the Christian areas of Mindanao, to celebrate the discovery of the Holy Cross which, as believed, was made by Helena and her son Constantine who became the first Christian Roman Emperor.

What sometimes confuses many is there is also the Flores de Mayo, which means “Flowers of May” and highlights a procession honoring Virgin Mary.

In many communities, this Flores de Mayo coincides with the Santacruzan, re-enacting the search by Elena – Flavia Julia Helena Augusta, also known as Saint Helena and Helena of Constantinople who was born in the lower classes – for the Holy Cross upon which Jesus Christ was believed crucified – with the town or city’s loveliest ladies gracing the occasion.

Introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines since the 19th century, Santacruzan has become a popular Filipino Catholic tradition that originated as a way to commemorate and re-tell the story of how Queen Helena, or “Reina Elena,” mother of Constantine the Great, uncovered the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

Religion says Helena led a back-breaking pilgrimage to find the Cross that Jesus was crucified on, and brought the Cross back to Rome.

There are three virtues associated with Queen Helena and Santacruzan: hope, charity, and faith.

Among characters in Santacruzan are Reina Banderada (Queen with a banner), a young lady dressed in a long red gown carrying a yellow triangular flag who represents the arrival of Christianity.

Other characters: Reina Abogada, wearing a graduation gown; Reina Sentenciada, symbolizing innocent convicts; Reina Justicia, symbol for justice; Reina Judith carrying the severed head of a man.

Others are Reina Sheba, Reina Esther, and Reina Veronica, the sweet one who wiped the face of Jesus.

Often, the Santacruzan is interchanged with Flores de Mayo. But in reality, they are different.

Flores de Mayo refers to the month-long festival; Santacruzan, religious and traditional, is the procession of “Queens” signifying Saint Helena’s legendary journey towards finding Jesus Christ’s Cross.

In the procession in the different communities on the last day of the month, Reina Elena (Queen Helena) used to be always the last member of the procession, representing Helena herself, whose Invention of the True Cross is symbolized by a cross or crucifix she carries in her arms.

This considerably prestigious role is usually awarded to the most beautiful girl or important matron in the pageant.

In some communities, the identity of the woman playing Reina Elena is a closely-guarded secret until the Santacruzan itself. Other places are more accommodating, allowing three Las Reinas Elenas in their processions.

At the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in the first class town of Cainta, Rizal, the Santacruzan, organized by a committee headed by overall coordinator Milagros Bas-Espinas, is also commemorated: with one Reina Elena, Joy Cruz of the parish’s Mother Butler Guild who will be carrying a crucifix, escorted by her son Jad Michael, representing Emperor Constantine.

Reina Emperatriz, signifying her role as an Empress or Queen Mother, is Maria Rosa Cabie of the Legion of Mary, Handmaids of the Lord, and the Elderly Ministry, who will be escorted by her three grandsons: Mikhail Bernard VIII, Mirko Sean Alexander, and Milek Andrey.

The Reina Emperatriz will carry the globus cruciger, known as “the orb and cross”—an orb surmounted by a cross, a Christian symbol of authority since the Middle Ages.

The globus cruciger was used by powerful rulers and celestial beings alike; it adorned portrayals of both emperors and kings, as well as archangels and represents the sovereign’s power.

It symbolizes the Christian world with its cross mounted on a globe, and the bands of jewels dividing it up into three sections represent the three continents known in medieval times.

Some historians have raised the theory that somewhere down the festival road, the traditions of Flores de Mayo and the Santacruzan were fused into what we know and celebrate today: the Sagalahan or Sagala.

As the years rolled on, behind Saint Helena in the procession now is is the Reyna Emperatriz or Queen Empress – another representation of Saint Helena, alluding to the imperial Roman title of Agusta (Empress or Queen Mother) which her son Constantine bestowed upon her.

In the truest essence of this religious representation, the Reyna Emperatriz and Reyna Helena are but one and the same.

Some historians suggest that due perhaps to the voluminous turn out of potential role players and the many beauties available, early Santacruzan organizers deemed it proper to have a dual exposure of the main queen to accommodate every one.

Some say: “Over the years and due to the love of the Filipinos for innovation and their penchant for creativity, the current adaptation of this religious practice has considered a recently crowned beauty queen titlist or a popular actress or celebrity as Reyna Helena and an equally known male model or actor for her escort.

“The unrestrained display of these biblical characters and symbolic figures participating in the procession made the significant attributes to the Blessed Virgin even more.”

The outgoing parish priest of Cainta’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 60-year-old Rev. Fr. Jaime Padilla, told Grinding Grains in an interview: “The significance of the Santacruzan lies in its deep immersion to Catholic religious culture and serves as a visual representation of the Biblical story and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He added: “We can derive messages from the Santacruzan like devotion to Mary which reminds the faithful of Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus and her intercessory power.

“Faithfulness and obedience, since the Santacruzan portrays Biblical characters who exemplify faithfulness and obedience to God.

“Importance of humility. Mary, in particular, is often depicted as the humble handmaid of the Lord, serving as a model for the faithful to cultivate humility in their own lives.

“Beauty and goodness. Since the Santacruzan showcases elegance, beauty and grace through floral decorations and religious symbols, and encourages the faithful to appreciate and express their faith in a way that reflects the beauty and goodness of God.”

The procession is normally accompanied by the steady beat of a local brass band, playing and singing the Dios Te Salve (Hail Mary).

Devotees hold lighted candles and sing the prayer as they walk.

It was customary for males and females and even the children to wear their Sunday’s best dresses which were more often white.

In the truest essence of this religious representation, the Reyna Emperatriz and Reyna Helena are but one and the same