Lithograph of Saint Helen in grooved wood, gilded with ormolu and painted in red - bordeaux color with matte varnish.
Dimensions: 20 x 26 cm.
A Brief Life of Saint Helen
Saint Helen was the mother of Constantine the Great and one of the most beloved figures in the Christian Church. She was born in Drepanum in Asia Minor and later married the Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus, with whom she had a son, Constantine the Great. After her separation from Constantius, Helen remained close to her son, who loved and respected her deeply. When Constantine became emperor, Helen held a prominent position at the imperial court. However, she chose to live simply and devoted herself to her faith, prayer, and caring for those in need. In her later years, she traveled to the Holy Land, where she sought out places associated with the life of Christ. According to tradition, she discovered the True Cross and played an important role in the construction of several significant churches, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Saint Helen became renowned for her deep faith, charity, and contribution to the Christian faith. In recognition of her service to the Church, she was honored with the title Equal-to-the-Apostles. She reposed at approximately 80 years of age, and the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Helen together with Constantine the Great on May 21.
