It is difficult to describe in simple words the life of a great man who made a huge contribution to world culture and a new understanding of religion and philosophy, brought an understanding of cosmic laws into the consciousness of the masses of people.
Helena Roerich is an extraordinary personality, her contribution to the worldview of all mankind is underestimated by many, and her numerous heritage is still being studied.
Elena Ivanovna was born in St. Petersburg in 1879, in a family of hereditary aristocrats. Her parents communicated closely with famous writers, artists, musicians, and little Lena had the opportunity to be present during their conversations.
This is probably why, from childhood, her interests were associated with art and culture: she learned to play the piano early, drew, studied religion and mythology. And she perceived everything around her as alive - for example, she asked God to give health to her toy cow.
The all-round gifted girl graduated from the gymnasium with a gold medal and passed the exam at the music school. After her, she was going to enter the conservatory, but her parents did not allow her, and Elena studied at home.
At the age of 21, she met the artist Nicholas Roerich, and soon they got married. This family union influenced the whole further life of Elena Ivanovna.
Contribution to culture
By the time the family was created, Nicholas Roerich was already a fairly famous artist, and Elena Ivanovna supported and inspired him in everything. In his memoirs, the artist calls her "the driver" and the keeper of the family
Elena Ivanovna herself was engaged in research: she photographed and studied architectural monuments, churches, ornaments and fez. Together with her husband, they went to excavations to see the historical monuments with their own eyes. They were also engaged in collecting works of art, which were later transferred to the Hermitage.
In 1916 they moved to Finland, and then to England, and here a very important period in the life of Helena Ivanovna begins: she becomes closer to the Theosophical Society of Blavatsky.
Around this time, Elena Ivanovna discovered the gift of clairaudience: in 1920-1940, with the help of this gift, the Living Ethics (Agni Yoga) was recorded. Roerich said that these messages were dictated to her by Mahatma Moriah. As a result, a series of 14 books was published, which to this day are a source of inspiration and spiritual knowledge for millions of people around the world.
Now this global work promotes the Roerich movement, which unites thousands of people from different countries. Elena Ivanovna herself called Agni Yoga "the teaching of life", and believed that everyone living on Earth should master it in order to walk his life path with dignity.
Elena Ivanovna also wrote such works as "The Chalice of the East", "Fundamentals of Buddhism", "The Banner of St. Sergius of Radonezh" and others under various pseudonyms. And Roerich's letters still read thousands of people embarking on the path of spiritual development.
In 1920, the Roerich family went on a tour across America, as a result of which cultural organizations would be created there: the International Union of Artists "Flaming Hearts", the Institute of United Arts, the International Art Center "The Crown of the World". These centers had a great influence on the development of world culture: they brought together people engaged in cultural activities. They also played an important role in the protection of cultural values during the Great Patriotic War.
In 1924, another important trip took place: the Roerichs went on an expedition across Central Asia. They visit India, Monogolia, Tibet, Altai and China. On this trip, a huge amount of various materials and information was collected, new places were discovered, and the rarest manuscripts were collected.
Personal life
Helena Ivanovna and Nicholas Roerich had two children: Yuri and Svyatoslav.
It was a very close-knit family, and they did everything together. The children loved and respected their parents, and the parents supported their sons in everything and created a creative and intellectual atmosphere for them.
The Roerich family moved from America to India, where Nikolai Konstantinovich died in 1948. After his death, Elena Ivanovna and Yuri moved to Delhi to wait there for a visa to Russia - they did not lose hope of returning to their homeland.
However, they were denied a visa. Elena Ivanovna never returned to the "best country" - as she called Russia. The ascetic, writer, public figure died in 1955 in Kalipong (Eastern Himalayas).
The Roerichs' children continued their work: Yuri became an orientalist, linguist, and Svyatoslav became an artist.
