[1] In 118 BC, Theodorus was summoned to Alexandria and Helenus himself assumed the position of governor and high priest of Cyprus.
[3] In 116 BC, prince Ptolemy took over the governorship for himself, but when his father died later that year he departed for Alexandria in order to seize the kingship by force.
Helenus was appointed as the prince's tutor (tropheus) and in practice he governed the island on Ptolemy's behalf.
When Ptolemy X went to Alexandria in 107 BC to replace his brother as the co-ruler of his mother Cleopatra III, Helenus accompanied him and was appointed admiral (nauarchos) of the fleet.
As a reward for his services, Cleopatra III appointed him as the first priest of the newly established cult of herself as the 'Beneficent and Mother-loving Goddess' (Euergetis kai Philometor Thea).