Aged-Wooden Byzantine Icon of Saint Helen.
Saint Helen was the mother of Constantine the Great and came from the city of Drepano in Bithynia in Asia Minor. In 326 AD traveled to Jerusalem where after excavations she discovered the Holy Cross, part of which she took to Constantinople.
Many temples were built with her valuable contribution, such as the Temple of the Holy Cross in Rome, the Temple of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Basilica of Agony on the Mount of Olives.
When Constantine the Great or Saint Constantine became the first Christian king, a depiction of him together with his mother Saint Helen was established in icons, hagiographies and constantinata (gold coins used as amulets).
About 327 AD Saint Helen died and her remains were transferred by Saint Constantine to Constantinople to the Church of the Holy Apostles.
Apolytikion
He beheld the image of Your Cross in the Heavens and, as Paul, he too did not receive the call from men. Your Apostle among Kings placed the care of the Royal City in Your hands. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Loving Lord, keep it ever in peace.
The aging technique is meticulously applied to the Icon by hand and gives it the look of time while the depiction retains its artistic details.
Around the perimeter, the aging becomes more apparent with frayed edges that give the Icon a distinctive appearance.
During the final processing, the Aged-Wooden Icon of Saint Helen is polished with a special varnish to withstand time.
Note: The final Icon may slightly differ from the catalog photo.
Feast: May 21
Iconographer: Father Micheal
Availability: Made to order, usually ships within 5 to 10 days.
