These icons are a result of two commissions of two Saint Empresses, I truly enjoyed writing them. The owner of the Icon of St. Aelia Pulcheria provided me with a number of images of Icons and we were able to discuss what she liked in them making it clear what details she wanted to see in her Icon. Having such understanding helped the writing process as I clearly knew what was the desired final product. In writing St. Helen I was not given many desired details, in fact the size of the icons was the only "detail" I received. This gave me freedom to write in style I felt was the most appropriate for this commission. The lady that approached me about writing this icon shared with me that her Mother, Helen, had recently fell asleep in the Lord and so she wanted to commission an Icon of St. Helen. Appropriately in the Icons the Saint appears gentle and peaceful, colors full of depth but muted. The Icon is filled with serenity that comes from unity with the Holy Spirit fulfilled in the Heavenly Kingdom. With the saints give rest, 0 Christ, to the soul of Thy servant where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting!

Icon of St. Empress Aelia Pulcheria

Oil paint and gold leaf over wood panel

11" x 7"

Empress St. Aelia Pulcheria (January 19, 399 – 453)
Pulcheria was a devout christian and earlier in life took a vow of virginity. She was a great influence to her younger brother Emperor Theodosius II, and at his passing away married general Marcian, declaring him a chosen successor of Theodosius. The marriage was arranged with the understanding that Marcian will respect Pulcheria's vow of chastity and together they organized the council of Chalcedon (451), and commissioned many new churches in Constantinople, one of which is the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae.

Icon of St. Empress Helen

Oil paint and gold leaf over wood panel

10" x 8"

St. Helen was the mother of Emperor Saint Constantine the Great. She is credited with the finding of the relics of the cross of Christ and the remains of the Three Wise Men, which currently reside in the Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral.



Symbolism:
In Iconography all visual details are fixed traditional symbols and represent important information about the person depicted. These icons are examples of the established ways of depicting Saint Empresses. The dress worn by the Saints are those of Byzantine empresses and can either be of a simplified design, symbolizing the Christian modesty of the God's Saint (such as Helen's dress), or it can be more ornate, symbolizing all the splendor and glory of the Heavenly Kingdom (St. Pulcheria). The crowns worn by the empresses are not only symbols of their earthly status, but also of eternal glory received by the Saints from God. Both Saints are depicted holding a cross in their right hand, but while St. Alelia Pulcheria's is a symbol of faith for which she lived, in the Icon of St. Helen this cross represents the "True Cross," the Cross upon which Christ was crucified. Pulcheria's left palm of the hand is open facing the viewer and symbolizes Saint's virginity. In the Icon of St. Helen her left arm is directing the viewer's eye towards the Holy Cross which she is presenting to us. The stole hanging over the arm is called loros and it is a jeweled scarf that emperors and empresses would wear as a part of their garment. Loros would drape down over the left arm or be tacked in the back.