and the relic of the cross were exceptionally important for the spread of christianity. the fact that this relic was created around that time goes to support how important that moment was. >> for hundreds of years after the legend of helena's discovery, the true cross continues to play a central role in the story of christianity. and though the relic is only 1,000 years old, others may prove far older. >> the first step in a long journey to investigate and to see if any of them can go back as far as the time of helena or maybe even the time of christ. >> the church in holy jerusalem they continue to celebrate helena's discovery of the true cross in a church she built in a